Robert "Bob" Eugene Brinkman

Robert “Bob” Eugene Brinkman, age 84, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society – Comforcare in Austin. Bob was born July 17, 1940, in Austin, to Loren and Lucile (Newkirk) Brinkman. He attended District 106 country school through the 8th grade and continued his education at Austin High School for two years before graduating from Rose Creek High School in 1958. On September 16, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, LaVonne Wendorf, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin.

Bob earned his associate’s degree from Austin Junior College in 1960, which laid the foundation for his successful 40+ year career in the banking industry. His career journey began as a part-time teller at Austin Savings & Loan while attending college full time. He played a pivotal role in establishing the First Fidelity Savings & Loan branch in Stewartville, where he and his family resided for nine years. With grit and determination, he became President of First Fidelity Savings & Loan, Vice President and regional manager of Twin City Federal Savings & Loan and retired in 2000 as Vice President of First Farmers & Merchants. Following his retirement, he worked part-time at Worlein Funeral Home.

Bob served on many boards related to the banking industry and community organizations. He was also actively involved with the American Red Cross, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Rotary Club, Jay C Hormel Nature Center, and the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Bob was a past member of the Lions Club, which he helped establish in Stewartville. His contributions to the community and dedication to helping others will be remembered by all who knew him.

Bob enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, and golfing, and looked forward to family vacations, holiday celebrations and cherished family traditions like annual hotdog roasts. Above all, he treasured the time spent with his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, LaVonne Brinkman in Austin, MN; children, Sherry (Dave) May of McIntire, IA, Lisa (Scott) Johnson of Austin, MN, Cindy (Jeff) Bray of Fall Creek, WI, and Jeff (Julie) Brinkman of Austin, MN; 13 grandchildren, Amie (Brian) Engels, Kellie (Sterling) Heath, Andy (Lindsay) Burton, John (Addy) May, Julia (Jason) Braun, Elizabeth (Isaac) Leyk, Ben (Danielle) Johnson, Emily (Tony Donatell) Johnson, Jacob (Monica) Bray, Garrett (Bryanna) Bray, Peyton (Parker Eberhardt) Bray, Nathan Brinkman, and Abbi Brinkman; 10 great-grandchildren and two on the way; brothers, Duane (Glenda) Brinkman and Leon (Sharon) Brinkman; sisters, Janet (Rick) Bowlds, Mary (Mark) Vogt, and Lois (Kevin) Mandler; and sister-in-law, Joann Brinkman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Lucile Brinkman; brother, Gene Brinkman; sister, Elaine (Steve) Lord; and parents-in-law, Gus and Clara Wendorf.

A funeral service for Bob will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin. The visitation will take place from 10:00-12:00 noon prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin. Memorials are preferred to recipient of donor’s choice. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin.