Robert William Pflieger was born Feb. 18, 1935, to William and Bernice (Holt) Pflieger in Chicago, Illinois.
After earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois, in 1956, Bob taught high school science and chemistry for six years at Concordia High School in Seward and Luther High South in Chicago. He earned his Master’s Degree from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and later joined the faculty at Concordia College in Seward in 1963, where he taught chemistry for 36 years. He was also very involved with Concordia athletics, serving as faculty athletic representative for 35 years and NAIA District Chair for 14 years. Bob retired in 1999 and was inducted into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
On Aug. 18, 1962, Bob was united in marriage to Donna Wilson in Wood River, Illinois. They were blessed with three children, Wendy, Sandra and Thomas. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, ushering at church and spending time with family and friends. Bob spent many summers in the corn fields, running his “Uncle Bob’s Detasseling” business. He was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Concordia University sports fan. Bob passed away Feb. 15, 2024, in Lincoln, at the age of 88.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Pflieger of Lincoln; children, Sandra (Kevin) Drewel of Lincoln and Thomas (Theresa) Pflieger of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; grandchildren, Micah (Abby) Price-Offermann, Jacob (Beth) Offermann, Adam Offermann, Erinn (Lane) Grist, Evan Steere, Makenna (Ben) Schmeling, Karissa Drewel, Grant Pflieger, and Lauren Pflieger; great-grandchildren, Maddyn Grist and Bree Schmeling; siblings, Russell (Josephine) Pflieger, Bruce (Jackie) Pflieger and Eileen (Art) Gundell; son-in-law, Roger (Jennifer) Offermann. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bernice Pflieger; daughter, Wendy Offermann; and siblings, Richard Pflieger and Judith Johnson.
The funeral service was Feb. 20 at St. John Lutheran Church with committal at the Greenwood Cemetery in Seward. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of Concordia University's Pflieger Pre-Seminary Scholarship Fund, Concordia University athletic department or St. John Lutheran School. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
