Robert K. Schoepp, age 87, Watertown, died peacefully in the Jenkins Living Center at Watertown, after a brief illness. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Burial with full military honors will follow at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown. On-line condolences may be left at the Furness Funeral Home website.
He was born Robert Keith Schoepp on September 16, 1929 in Henry, the son of Charles and Catherine “Nellie” (Redmond) Schoepp. Keith or Bob as he became known to many, attended school in Henry, graduating from Henry High School. He then attended and graduated from Northern State College in Aberdeen. Following high school, Bob served his country honorably from 1951 until 1955 in the United States Navy. After his discharge, he returned to the Henry/Watertown area.
On August 24, 1957 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Tessier at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Following their marriage, he was employed by Phillips Petroleum Company in Omaha, NE, Lincoln, NE and then in Huron, SD. In 1974, he purchased an oil jobbership in Redfield, which he operated for several years. In 1988, he retired and the couple moved to Watertown.
Bob was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Watertown. Faith was a very important part of his daily life, spending many hours reading scripture, praying the rosary, volunteering for church activities and practicing a faith-filled life. In the communities he lived in over the years, he had been involved as a Scout leader, the South Dakota Oilmen’s Assn., a former member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion and was a member of the VFW. He also enjoyed traveling.
Some of the activities he enjoyed in his free time were woodworking, fishing and hunting, being a regular daily patron at the library and socializing with his coffee buddies. He always enjoyed a challenge, whether it was playing cards, Sudoku or cribbage with his children and grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brother Donald (Marguerite) and sister-in-law, Lois Schoepp.
Grateful for being a part of his life was his wife Dorothy of Watertown, children, Tim (Sharon) Schoepp of Dell Rapids, Scott (Melanie) Schoepp of Ellsworth, WI and Lori (Dennis) Klinkhammer of Albany, MN, 6 grandchildren, Brittany (Jon) Schoepp-Wong, Tanner and Trapper Schoepp, Nick and Courtney Klinkhammer, and Jared Schoepp. He also leaves brothers, Calvin “Bud” Schoepp of Henry and Herbert “Herb” Schoepp of Clark. Preceding him in death were his parents, brother Donald (Marguerite) and sister-in-law, Lois Schoepp.