ROBERT K. "BOB" BRACHER Sr.

Bracher, robert k., Sr. “BOB” Age 69; passed away in his home in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Sunday, December 25, 2016. A Memorial Service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge with close family friend, Pastor James P. Evers, officiating. Visitation will be held before the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Bob was born in Wayne, Michigan on April 1, 1947, to the late Stanley and Valerie (Estes) Bracher and was one of five children. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Linda Beitz, in 1965. Bob’s smile and hearty laughter were contagious when he did what he loved most - spending time with family and friends. His deep faith in Christ was evident as he selflessly served and hosted others, faithfully studied the Bible, and previously served as an elder at Faith Lutheran Church. He was a certified maintenance and reliability professional through the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals, obtained level 1 certification in infrared thermography, and worked as an ISO category III vibration analyst for Allied Reliability. He has held positions of program chairman and chairman of the Vibration Institute, Piedmont Chapter #14, and treasurer of the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), Smoky Mountain Chapter. Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda (Beitz) Bracher; three sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Pam Bracher, Kevin and Becky Bracher, and Bobby and Ashley Bracher; brother, Stanley (Therese) Bracher; sister, Sue (Dennis) LaPointe; brother-in-law, Ken Adams; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by sisters, Judy Harding and Carol Adams. The family asks that a contribution be made in Bob Bracher’s name to Faith Lutheran Church, Oak Ridge in lieu of flowers. An online guest book can be signed at: www.weatherfordmortuary.com