Robert Dale Brauch

Robert Dale "Bob" Brauch, Billings, Missouri, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, in Mercy Hospital, after a 5-year battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Bob died peacefully with his daughter, Kelly, by his side. All who knew him knew how strong he was and that he fought a hard battle against this disease.
Bob was born August 11, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Clarence Floyd Brauch and Virgina Jean Arthur. He was raised in Lemay, in South Saint Louis County.
His father died when Bob was 14, leaving his mother with six children to raise. Bob and his brother, Ed, worked after school to earn money to help support their mother and siblings. Bob took that attribute into his adult life, always looking after people he loved.
Bob joined the U.S. Navy in 1954, straight out of high school. Immediately after bootcamp he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Landmann. There were four daughters born to this union.
He had always wanted to be a sailor from the time he was a young child because he liked the uniform. He first served onboard the USS Sierra, as a Quartermaster. He was later assigned to SACLANT Headquarters in 1957, and at that time was granted Top Secret clearance. He served onboard the USS Francis Marion, being a "Plank Owner", meaning that he was assigned to her when she was first commissioned in 1961.
He graduated from Submarine School in 1963, and later was designated Qualified in Submarines earning his dolphins and then serving onboard the submarine USS Redfin. In 1964, he was stationed in Naples, Italy, at COMSUBFLOT EIGHT LANTFLT. Transferred back stateside, he was assigned to the submarines USS Grampus in 1967, the USS Diodon, and later the Pickerel. Bob completed Quartermaster Instructor School in 1970, and finished out his career as a Quartermaster Instructor in San Diego. He retired in 1973, as a QM-1 SS.
He learned autobody work from his father, which sparked a life-long interest in cars. After retiring from the Navy, Bob built and painted street rods for years first in Springfield, and later at his shop in Billings – Brauch's Auto Body. He would park street rods in his yard, and wait for people to come by and look at them. He made a lot of friends over the years that way.
He also loved horses and had several over the years. He was a team roper, and showed horses. He always said he was born 100 years too late, and would loved to have been a cowboy in the 1800s. Bob used to ride his horse Little Joe across the grounds of Jefferson Barracks where his brother Al is buried and where Bob will be laid to rest.
Bob was a former member of the Rods and Relics Street Rod Club, and was later a founding member of Royal Tin Street Rods. He was known for his beautiful paint jobs, and could lay out ghost flames on a car with an artist's touch.
He hosted cookouts at his property in Billings for Royal Tin, and all of his car buddies, for years. For several years he hosted the picnic on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. There were often nearly 100 cars parked on his lawn, and new and old friends gathered to enjoy the day.
Bob was a hard worker, and loved to be in his shop. He only closed his business in 2019, at the age of 83, after a yet to be diagnosed blood disease robbed him of energy. But, he never gave up his interest, and continued to dabble with old cars until the last few months.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara (Allhands) Brauch, of Billings, Bob and Barbara were married in 1995, and would have celebrated their 30th anniversary in June. He is also survived by his daughters; Kim Brauch of Florida, Kelly Brauch-Marvin (Rob) of California, Kris Brauch of Billings, and Kerrie Marsch (Joe) of Ohio; and his stepson and daughter-in-law Dustin Wilson and Sara Damron of Springfield, Missouri. Bob is also survived by his brother Ed Brauch of Festus, Missouri, and sister Floydine Jones of St. Louis; his grandsons Bobby Marvin (Miki) of Osaka, Japan; and Brauch Marvin of Dallas, Texas; and grandchildren Kaileigh Huston (Kyle), Parker Marsch (Mandi); Carter Marsch (Jamie), John Marsch, and Karson Marsch, all of Ohio; and Zachary Lockett of Miami, Florida. He was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Leo Marvin of Osaka, Japan; and Noya Marsch of Ohio. And several nieces and nephews, who he loved very much.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Jean Brauch, his brother Alvin Brauch, and sisters Darlis Stelling and Linda Bauer.
Bob was larger than life, and loved to tell a good story. Life was never dull around him, and he made friends everywhere he went. He became particularly close to several of his care team at Mercy – Dr. Snider, the nurses at 7A transfusion, the chemo infusion staff at Chub O'Reilly Cancer Center in Springfield
Bob has countless friends who will miss his sharp wit and orneriness. His passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of his family and countless friends. He has started his "ride off into the sunset", as he was always saying he was ready to do.
Services will be held in Springfield at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2o24, with services at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025
Graveside services will be held at the Veterans Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Services are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home East.