Robert D. Sjogren
January 21, 2021
Robert D. Sjogren, CPA, 77, passed away
on January 21, 2021. He was proud of his Swedish heritage and enjoyed
the company of family and friends. He was born on October 5, 1943 in
Concordia, KS and the second of three sons to Lawrence and Dorothy
Sjogren. He was a 1961 graduate of Concordia High School, where he
was active in football, basketball and track. He served as Co-Captain
of the football and basketball teams his senior year.
He attended Kansas State University
majoring in business. Bob played football for Kansas State
University, serving as Co-Captain his senior year, earning the
nickname “The Old Fighter.” He was a member of Sigma Chi
Fraternity.
After graduating in 1965, he married
Franco Hammel on July 16, 1966 and went to work for Arthur Young and
Associates in Kansas City, MO. He served in the Army Reserves for
six years.
Bob and Franco moved to Newton in 1971,
where he joined the accounting firm of Knutsen/Monroe and Co. as a
CPA. He became a senior partner and worked there until his
retirement in 2009.
He was very involved in Newton First
Presbyterian Church, where he was a Deacon and an Elder. He also
served on the Ghost Ranch Foundation Board.
He was married to Franco until her
passing in 1996. He married Marilyn Kemme in 2005. They greatly
enjoyed international travel.
Bob was a huge supporter of his alma
mater and was known to “bleed purple.” He was a proud member of
the group of former football players known as the Golden Cats, served
on the Kansas State Foundation Board, was a lifetime member of the
Alumni Association, and held season football and basketball tickets.
As a lover of the arts, Bob supported
the Carriage Factory Art Gallery in Newton, KS; the Birger Sandzen
Gallery in Lindsborg, KS; the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State
University, and was a season ticket holder for Music Theatre of
Wichita.
He was a long-time member of Kiwanis,
serving a term as President. He was a member of Newton Country Club
and was an avid golfer. He supported KPTS-TV, KMUW-FM, Big Brothers
and Sisters and EmberHope.
He was preceded in death by his
parents, first wife Franco (Hammel) Sjogren and brother James
Sjogren. He is survived by his wife Marilyn (Kemme) Sjogren, Newton,
KS; brother Charles (Bonnie) Sjogren, Concordia, KS; Sister-in-Law
Marcia Sjogren, Concordia, KS; Brother-in-Law Don Hammel (Nancy),
Bastrop, TX; Nephew Chuck Sjogren, Concordia, KS; Niece Kimba
Sjogren, Wichita, KS; Nephew Timothy Sjogren, Concordia, KS; Niece
Tammera Bird, Rochester, MN; Niece Jennifer Gonzalez, Studio City,
CA; Nephew Phil Hammel, Austin, TX; Step-Daughter Cindy (Steve)
Depoe, Cincinnati, OH; Step-Son Dan (Sheri Tollefson) Kemme,
Albuquerque, NM; Step-Son Pete (Gayle) Kemme, Tucson, AZ;
Step-Daughter Susan (Phil) Arensman, Wichita, KS, and 10
step-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a
future date. Memorials can be sent to the Permanent Endowment Fund of
First Presbyterian Church in Newton, KS or to a charity of your
choice.
A register book will be available for
friends to sign from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
at Petersen Funeral Home.
1943 - 2021 (77 years)