Robert James Bergmann, the son of Edwin and Fietta (Bany) Bergmann, was born March 21, 1927 in Frederika Township, Bremer County, Iowa.  He was baptized at the Congregational Church in Tripoli, Iowa and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Siegel), rural Tripoli.  Robert attended country school in the Tripoli area.  He started working at Rath Packing in Waterloo, Iowa when he was sixteen years old.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 until 1946.  After his return from the Navy, Robert continued working at Rath until they closed.  He then worked at Carnation in Waverly.  Robert was united in marriage with LaDonna Bravener on May 15, 1948 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

          Bob’s death occurred Thursday, June 10, 2010 at his home in Frederika, Iowa, after a sudden illness.  He was eighty-three years old.  Bob was a member of the Frederika United Methodist Church, the Brandenburg-Krueger V.F.W. Post # 4013 in Tripoli, the Frederika Fire Department, and he had served on the Frederika City Council.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.  He also enjoyed playing cards, spending time with family and friends, and fishing.

          Bob is survived by his wife, LaDonna, of Frederika; seven children, Roger Bergmann of Frederika; Jane (Jim) Onken of San Simon, Arizona; Sally (Carl) Dietrich of Springfield, Missouri; Gary (Joyce) Bergmann of Savannah, Missouri; Dale (Tracey) Bergmann of Sumner, Iowa; Tommy (Rhonna) Bergmann of Waverly, Iowa; and Debra Smith of Stoutland, Missouri; twenty grandchildren; twenty-eight great grandchildren; and one sister, Betty (Harlan) Pose of New Hampton, Iowa.

          Bob was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Wendy Bergmann; a great granddaughter, Angel Bergmann; and his parents. 

          Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 14, 2010, at the Frederika United Methodist Church. Pastor Sheryl Hull will be the officiant. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m., until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, June 13, 2010 at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Interment will be at Alcock Cemetery, Frederika, Iowa. Military Rites will be conducted by the Brandenburg-Krueger V.F.W. Post # 4013, Tripoli, Iowa.  Memorials may be made to the Frederika United Methodist Church or to the Alcock Cemetery Association.