Robert “Bob” W. Lager, 82, of Miller, passed away, Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 21, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church in Miller, Pastor Robert Brooks, officiating.  Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Artesian.  A prayer service with Masonic rites will be 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 20, 2022, with a visitation two hours prior, all at the church.

Robert W. Lager, son of Charles H. And Ruth (Lambert) Lager, was born, July 9, 1940, at the Methodist Hospital in Mitchell, South Dakota.  He attended grade school at Manley School District #36 for eight years and graduated from Fedora High School in 1958.

He attended DWU in Mitchell for a short time and worked for Terrace Park Dairy in Sioux Falls for three years.  Bob was employed at First National Bank of Miller later known as First State Bank from September of 1962 until December 27, 2002.  He retired as Vice President, after forty and a half years of dedicated service to the banking industry.

Bob married Barbara Rowen on January 22, 1961, in Wessington, South Dakota and to this union three children were born, Todd, Barry and Wade.

Bob and Barb were actively involved in the community, especially in academics and athletics where their children and grandchildren were participating.  They were active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Miller. Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a past master, receiving his 50-year pin on February 9, 2015.  He was the president of Kiwanis, a service club member, a member of Wall Lake Hunting Club, blood donor for the United Blood Service, and past president of Miller Golf Course where he made one of his three “hole in ones” over the years; the other two were made in Arizona.

He was a veteran van driver for four years, driving veterans from the Miller area to their medical appointments in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, or Pierre.

Bob was a Master of Ceremony for the Miller wrestling team’s homecoming and a public address announcer for many wrestling tournaments.  He was awarded the Joel Haring “I Love Wrestling” Award at Miller High School on May 1, 1988.  He was inducted to the South Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005 under a new category of Outstanding Fan and Supporter of Wrestling. He was also awarded the “Friends of Athletics” plaque at the Miller High School on May 10, 2010, in recognition for Outstanding Support and Service to Miller Athletics.  He was inducted into the Miller Rustler High School Hall of Fame on December 19, 2014.

Bob was a cherished member of the community and will always be remembered not only for his loyalty and support to the school but his smile and friendly “hello” you always received no matter friend or stranger.  He never walked away from someone without making sure they received a wave and smile.

One thing Bob wanted to make sure you never forgot were the five things that you cannot recover in life: the stone after it’s thrown, the word after it’s said, the occasion after it’s missed, the time after it’s gone, and the person after they die.

Bob will be greatly missed by his wife, Barb of 61 years; sons: Todd (Jeanne) of Mission Viejo, CA, Wade (Patti) of Freeman; grandchildren: Tyson Lager of Pasadena, CA, Carli (Cody) Bunger of Madison, great granddaughter, Brynn Rowen Bunger, and Kyle Lager of Mission Viejo, CA; sister, Lila Jean Annis of Mesa, AZ; brother, Don (Shirley) of Sioux Falls, sister-in-law, Donna of Sioux Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Barry; brother, Gary; and parents-in-law: Earl and Loretta Rowen.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Bob’s arrangements.

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