Robert R Rentsch

Robert Russell Rentsch, 85, of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family, at the North Central Heart Institute on November 14, 2025.

Robert, first born child of Ben and Mildred (Schuette) Rentsch, was delivered during a blizzard at the Volga hospital on March 3, 1940. He grew up on the family farm west of Bruce, SD, and graduated from the Bruce school in 1958.

Robert, known to some as Bobby, and others, Bob, attended SDSC (now SDSU) as a math major. He picked up a part time job working at the Brookings Dental Laboratory and apprenticed there, later buying the business in 1970. He was a certified dental technician for 50 years. His strong work ethic and attention to detail guided his dedication to exceptional work, before retiring in 2016.

He married Karen Risch in June of 1960 and the couple had two sons, Trent and Matthew.

He was a member of the Brookings Jaycees, long time member of the Brookings Elks, charter member of the Prairie Striders and charter president of the Brookings Exchange Club.

He had many passions, including music. He played bass guitar and accordion for a number of local and regional bands in the early 1960s, and he later sang with the Prairie Chorale in Brookings. He had a talent for film photography, with an artistic eye and technical patience. He was an early adopter of organic gardening at the family home in Brookings. Pouring through seed catalogs and starting seedlings occupied his late winter months. He took up artisan bread making in his later years and meticulously cared for a number of sourdough starters. Above these interests, he had a special place in his heart for the family pets and dutifully loved and cared for each.

He is survived by his wife Karen, sons Trent (Lori) and Matthew (Jeff), three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers and one sister. He is preceded in death by his parents, and many beloved pets.

Memorials can be made out to the Brookings Humane Society.