Richard Gustav Rumpf

Richard Gustav Rumpf, 99, Rogers, AR, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025. He was born April 8, 1926, in Kansas City, MO, the youngest child of Gustav and Emma Nerenberg Rumpf. His siblings were Hilda, Otto, Paul, Esther, and Gertrude. Shortly after graduating from high school, Rich volunteered for the U.S Army and served in the Army Air Corps from April 12, 1944 until May 6, 1946. After his discharge, he attended the University of Kansas on the GI Bill, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Following college graduation, Rich worked for a number of employers, but spent the last 31 years of his engineering career with Bendix, where he managed several high-profile projects involving close coordination with the Atomic Energy Commission and the nuclear laboratories in Los Alamos, NM and Lawrence Livermore, CA. He retired in 1986. Rich was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church since moving to Rogers, AR in 1987. He was active in many areas of the church, including the choir. He was also a longtime volunteer at the Friends of the Rogers Public Library bookstore, The Friendly Bookstore. Rich used his considerable woodworking talents to build shelves for the library at Holy Trinity and The Friendly Bookstore. For his family, he also created beautiful stained-glass artwork and hand-crafted woodworking pieces, which are treasured keepsakes. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his first wife, Vyonne Laue. He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Marian Venenga, of Rogers, AR; children Debbie Rumpf (Kirk Hawkins) of Ozark, MO, Libby Barnard of Springfield, MO, and Ron Rumpf (Karla) of Columbia, MO; stepdaughter Carol Betterman (Don) of Ft Collins, CO, and stepson Gary Venenga (Jill) of Thorton, CO; grandchildren Cindy Simzek, Dan Barnard, Annie Strickland (Link), Will Rumpf (fiancé Marj Coates), and step-grandchildren Amy Fields (Shannon), Kari Betterman, Elizabeth Venega, and Nick Venega; great-grandchildren Kiera, Gabriella, Sam, Luke, Liam, McKynna, and Marvin; plus numerous nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends. Visitation is Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Rogers, AR, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Rogers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Rogers, AR or The Friendly Bookstore, Rogers, AR.