Robert L. "Bob" Lingafelter was born July 18, 1912, at Onaka, SD, to John and Ella Lingafelter. Bob graduated from Onaka High School in 1929 at the age of 16. He worked on various farms around Onaka and Faulkton, SD. He became employed by Faulk County Highway Department in 1948 and worked there until his retirement in 1976.

He then moved to Sturgis to be closer to his sister and her family. Later in life, he moved into the Sturgis High Rise and spent his lastyears at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Spearfish.

While at the Sturgis High Rise, Bob volunteered many, many hours to various programs, especially the Meals on Wheels.

For many years, while on vacations and later in retirement, Bob and his good friend, Fred 'Ole' Kuhl, toured most of the United States, including driving to Alaska.

Although he never married, the children of his sister, Frances, were his 'family.'

Bob was one of those people that you probably wouldn't notice on the street however, most people described him simply as a "nice man" and one who enjoyed helping others.

As it became apparent he might reach the century mark, he made that a goal; and actually surpassed it by one month and a day. Bob saw many changes in the way people lived in his 100 years – from automobiles, telephones, television and computers becoming everyday necessities to people landing on the moon.

Thank you, "Uncle Bob" for sharing your life with us. The world is a little less now that you are gone – though never forgotten.

Bob, 100 of Spearfish, SD, died Sunday, August 19, 2012, at
Spearfish Regional Hospital.

He is survived by two nephews, Bill (Alicia Spencer) Cissell of Sturgis and Michael Cissell of Albuquerque, NM; nieces, Glenda (Calvin) Crooks of Spearfish, SD, Patti (Dennis Crist) Grant of Glencoe, MN, and Marie Cissell of Rapid City, SD; and numerous great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ralph; sister, Frances Cissell; and nephew, Jim Cissell.

A memorial has been established to the Sturgis Meals on Wheels.

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