Robert "Bob" Lee Varilek passed away peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by family on March 13, 2021, at St Martin's Village in Rapid City; he had been residing there for the past few years. Bob was 86 years old.
Robert was born at home in Charles Mix County, SD, on January 29, 1935, the son of Joe O. and Ruth A. (Glynn) Varilek. He grew up in several South Dakota towns and graduated from high school in Custer. After a stint in the US Army and the US Naval Academy, Bob returned to South Dakota where he attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and later became a top Kraft food salesman. While working in Rapid City, he met Barbara Kuckleburg, who was working at a bank and attending the National College of Business. On June 7, 1958, the two were married in Barbara's hometown of Vivian, SD, before relocating to Lincoln in order for Bob to attend the University of Nebraska law school. After receiving his Juris Doctor in 1961, they returned to South Dakota where Robert practiced law, first in Custer, then in Rapid City. They remained in Rapid City where they raised their nine children.
Bob loved to sail, fish, hunt, golf, garden, and travel with family and friends. One of the highlights of his life was sailing to Hawaii from California with three of his friends.
Robert and Barbara are survived by their nine children: Lisa Volk, Blair Sullivan, Timothy Varilek, Susan Laurenti, Robert C. Varilek, Julie Backes, Andrew Varilek, Nathan Varilek and Margaret Varilek; 27 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; two brothers, Ron and Dick Varilek; and one sister, Laura Lubley.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara; and eldest sister, Dorothy Barrow.
Special thank you to other family and friends who also celebrated Bob's vibrant life and to his brother-in-law, Michael "Mick" Penticoff who never missed his birthday.
Barbara passed away in July 2014. Robert will join Barbara and be buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD,  a private family service will be May 21, 2021.

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