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BORN
1943
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
Robert (Bobby) Plager Obituary
Robert “Bobby” Bryant Plager was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario on March 11, 1943. He reunited with his brothers Barclay and Billy in heaven on March 24, 2021 at age 78. He was also welcomed by his parents, Gus and Edith Plager
Carrying on Bobby’s legacy are his daughter, Melissa Plager Briggs, son, Bobby, Jr., and son-in-law David Briggs. He was the wise, loving, and fun ‘Coach’ (and grandfather) to Jacob and Katie Briggs. They could always count on ‘Coach’ to make their busy, hectic days brighter, whether at hockey practice, lacrosse, dance, playing golf, or just in the back yard on the trampoline. Some of their favorite memories were their annual trip to go watch the Blues play.
Sisters-in-law Helen and Donna and all the Plager nieces and nephews know that Bobby left them a legacy of love, the greatest gift one generation can leave the next.
His extended family of 682 players, 25 coaches, numerous scouts, staff and management of the St. Louis Blues will never forget his lesson that “We All Bleed Blue”. His unsurpassed pride in the Blue Note will remain forever.
An original St. Louis Blue, during the 1967 inaugural season, Bobby assisted on the first goal, and naturally received the first penalty. Hundreds of thousands of fans have marveled at his on-ice fortitude - highlighted by his hallmark hip check. Bobby was the only witness to the entirety of the St. Louis Blues history. Simply put - he is the legend.
Upon his retirement from playing, he served any and every role requested by his beloved Blues - player/coach, coach (including Coach of the Year honors and Turner Cup Championship with the Blues’ affiliate - the Peoria Rivermen), scout, director of scouting (when he developed the concept of advance scouting opponents), Vice President of player development, broadcaster, and ambassador.
He engaged everyone he met - the entire St. Louis and NHL communities - with his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. He was an eloquent storyteller. His passionate loyalty taught every Blues’ player that the name on the back of the jersey means nothing compared to the crest on the front.
The St. Louis Blues will hold a public visitation for the legendary Bobby Plager on Friday, April 16 at Enterprise Center.
Fans wishing to pay their final respects can enter the arena at the main entrance at 14th & Clark Avenue and proceed to the arena floor beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday. The public visitation will end at 8 p.m.
Fans will be required to follow Enterprise Center health and safety protocols for the visitation, which includes face masks being worn at all times, no bags or purses and proper social distancing.
On Sunday, April 18, the Blues will host a Celebration of Life service for Plager at 2 p.m. The event is closed to the public but will be streamed live at stlouisblues.com and on the Blues official YouTube channel. Fans can watch the service on any connected device with a YouTube app, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick and iOS, Android and more.
The service will include tributes from Hall of Fame players, coaches and legendary broadcasters, as well as speeches from family, friends and former teammates.
Following the service at approximately 3:30 p.m, a police escort will lead a procession from Enterprise Center towards Market Street, traveling the same route as Plager's beloved Stanley Cup championship parade. Fans are encouraged to stand along Market Street for a finale salute to Plager before the procession continues on to Bellerive Gardens Cemetery for a private burial.
Fans can share their memories and tributes to Bobby Plager by posting to Twitter and Instagram using #stlblues. Tributes will be shared in our online memorial at stlouisblues.com/bobby
To honor the life of Bobby Plager, donations may be made to the St. Louis Blues Alumni - Plager Fund, 1401 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103. Donations will be split between the Blues Alumni Assistance Fund and Blues for Kids for Minor Hockey. https://stlbluesalumni.com/
The family is grateful to the St. Louis Police Department for their quick and immediate response, along with the doctors and staff at BJC’s Emergency Department and naturally the St. Louis Blues’ organization.
“Our joys are greater and our lives are fuller because we shared your moments, Bobby.” Author unknown
A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert (Bobby) Plager
25 Entries
Harry Gaddis
January 10, 2026
RIP bobby you was a great person I remember watching you and your brother in in st louis.
Nan K Novak
May 2, 2021
I taught school in St.Louis in the 70s and during my time there I participated in the Plager women’s hockey clinic ( ahead of its time) It was a great experience . I received praise from Bobby and 2 other Blues players for my skating skills but learned a lot from them. There were many good skaters out for this event from the St.Louis area. I played for a team from the St. Charles area. Surprisingly , while having my car tuned up in Mpls. April 30, I met someone fr: St. Louis who told me of Bobby’s passing . I will always miss you and your talent and since my experience there I have always been a Blues fan.I saw Bobby play often there and in Mn.
Kate Hayes
April 18, 2021
Happy to have known such a genuine kind man! Thanks for your thoughtfulness and sharing your time with our family.
Jeff Smith
April 17, 2021
Thank for the memories! Rest in peace!
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Pam Barrett
April 16, 2021
I am so very sorry for your loss Your Dad was one of a kind. And will be missed by all who knew him. Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family ❤❤
Cindy Schuenke
April 14, 2021
Bobby, you will truly be missed. Thanks for so many memories on and off the ice. Whether we were golfing in a tournament together or with “Pops” at Dave’s, Crossroads or Bobby’s Place you always had a smile and joke to share. Thanks for all the time you spent coming to visit while I was in the burn unit. I know how much it meant to me, but also to my family and especially Danny and Trish. I know you and Danny are up in heaven having one heck of a time.
To the Plager family, my sincerest condolences to all of you during this most devastating time. Thank you for sharing your father, grandfather, brother and uncle with all of us. He will always be a St. Louis treasure. My hearts breaks for all of you and the many people Bobby has touched throughout his life.
Fred Corsi
April 14, 2021
I spent (20) years at the St. Louis Arena and the now Enterprise Center as the VP of Operations. When I arrived in January of 1988 to take over at the Arena we had the All Star game and just before the game Barkley passed away from cancer. That’s when I got introduced to Bobby. For the next (20) years I dodged all the one liners and enjoyed very second of it. He brightened everyone’s life when he walked in a room. He and his family were die hard Blues and St. Louis fans.
Even though I left the. Blues in 2008 I still thought of he and the team we loved often. When they won the cup I waited until Bobby was able to raise it and take it for a walk before the emotion of the moment and the tears of joy came. He was the At. Louis Blues!
Celebrate his life and all the great things he did this weekend. R.I.P. Bobby!!!
GRANT HAMMONS
April 14, 2021
What a kind and gentle soul who will be so missed. Like a friend that I never met but always knew.
As a Blues fan since 1970, Bobby and Barclay Plager were my hockey heroes as a kid. As the years went by, he became my hero as a man who enjoyed life and devoted his time, kindness and smiles to all those he encountered in this life. What a Blessing to hockey, St. Louis and to those he knew. Peace and love.
Shana Langston
April 13, 2021
Hey Plager I miss you so much already...I’m sure you and “Pops” are up there causing some sort of mayhem together....All of St. Louis will keep you in our hearts you were such a beautiful soul...peace and love Plager
Deron B
April 11, 2021
Such a great man and an ambassador to the St. Louis Blues and the NHL. So happy you got your parade and Stanley Cup. RIP Bobby.
Courtney Joseph
April 10, 2021
Bobby will forever be the heart of the Blues and his legacy and memory will live forever in all of us who were so fortunate to know him. My deepest condolences to all of his family, you were truly his world. Thank you for sharing your Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle with so many of us.
David Alexander
April 9, 2021
What a legacy
Thank you for all you have done for St Louis RIP
Todd Morris
April 9, 2021
My condolences to your family, you lit up a room and never met a stranger.
Kathryn Thompson
April 7, 2021
U are an inspiration to everyone....I enjoyed watching u play when I was a kid & getting to meet u a few times over the years. U will be greatly missed....Rest in Heaven w/ your Brothers, Bobby!
Kathryn Thompson
Patricia Rudolph
April 7, 2021
I remember going to games when I was younger and always said "what a great hip check". Then when I worked at the old arena you use to come to the bar after games and buy us all drinks. Now we always talked at games, McDonald's and at the new Centene Center. You were always friendly to everyone and you will truly be missed!!! RIP Bobby!!
james McCormack
April 6, 2021
I look at the pictures in my office with my kids sitting with you at a game holding a puck. My family will miss you. Jim, Shelly, Mason, and Carson. Moogee always jumping up when you stopped by to say hi.
Rose Pressley
April 3, 2021
Bobby shared his life with everyone. He never ever was above signing an autograph or taking a photo with a fan.. He was one of “us”. Anyone who got to meet him was blessed and honored. Though he will be missed, his family should feel honored to have had such a man in their lives, who touched many lives. When I think of him, I smile and I hope to see him again at that hockey rink in the sky....Thank you Bobby for your kindness, laughter and smile.
Catherine Kempt
April 2, 2021
Mr Bobby I think I met you along with Bill and Billy junior and my man Brett. Never saw that much love/happinessat Shady Acres. To Bill Brett and Dara so sorry for your loss...cathy kempt
Barbara Hickey
April 2, 2021
All the Plager boys made watching hockey a fun pastime! RIP Bobby, you will be missed by all who personally knew you, as well as millions of your fans. I only had the privilege of meeting you a couple of times, through my brother-in-law, your brother, Billy Plager and Donna, but you left an impression on me and my family and we were always so proud to let people know (and brag about) our relationship to The Plager’s. My sincere condolences to your family!
Kerry and Paul Virgin
April 2, 2021
Our condolences to the entire Plager family from St. Louis to Peterborough. Bobby is now in heaven with Barkley and Uncle Bill. Heaven will never be the same. Rest In Peace Bobby. We were so blessed to have known you. Love Kerry and Paul
Kate Hayes
April 2, 2021
Lucky to have known you and celebrated with you! So Genuine so humble so true Love Kate Hayes Pat Keating and children you drove all the way to Peterborough and surprised your niece Dara Plager, Steve Gosselin and their girls Olivia and Izzy who planned the best Stanley Cup celebration.
We had the best time! Thanks for your stories and laughs!
Rob & Shawna Levac
April 2, 2021
An amazing man with integrity and poise. Our World was a better place for having him in it without a doubt. To all the Plager’s and Blues organization, his memory will live on forever, and all of us hockey fans North of the border will be thinking of all of you during this challenging time. Heaven received a little part of earth on this day and will forever be in our debt. Great men like Uncle Bobby make us want to do better, be better. Thanks for being you and enjoy reuniting with your brothers.
Michael and Gini McMurray
April 1, 2021
We have watched the Blues since Sid Solomon and His Son started the Blues
Bobby.us playing for God with his brother. GO BLUES IN HEAVEN.
Jeffrey Nelson
April 1, 2021
Always had time for a chat or to take a photo with anyone who asked! That's why he is so reviered in this town. Top class! RIP Mr. P! Your are a true St.Louisan to the bone. We will all miss ya, but plenty of memories which will live forever. Go Blues!
Elizabeth Johnson
April 1, 2021
My Dad Bobby Johnson Work at the old barn and when Keil center open he was the Building superintended there He also Knew Fred Corsi My dad and him use to always be drinking coffee in his office talking about the blues and the players and how they were doing he will be greatly missed I know he is in heaven having coffee with dad laughing and having a good time I remember meeting him along time ago and it was such a honor meeting a big piece of blues history he will truly missed. Elizabeth Johnson / Liz Leisse Now
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