Robert Leroy Lehrkamp, Sr., 88, of Sturgis, SD, died January 10, 2024, at Fort Meade VA hospital at Fort Meade, SD.
Robert Leroy Lehrkamp, Sr., was born to Walter and Bertha (Stanley) Lehrkamp on July 21, 1935, at Gettysburg, SD. He attended Roy and Lucas elementary rural schools and graduated from Gettysburg high school in 1953.
He volunteered for the United States Air Force in December 1953. He served at many stateside Air Force bases and also served in overseas bases in Japan, Korea, Germany, and Thailand, during his 20 years of service. He retired from the United States Air Force in February of 1974. After his retirement from the Air Force, he returned to Sturgis and worked at McKie’s Ford and then Hersrud’s Implement as a mechanic, a parts man, and a farm equipment salesman until January 1998.
Bob married Lucille S. Francoeur in Caribou, Maine, on March 16, 1957.
Robert is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lucille; three sons: Robert (Susan) Lehrkamp, Jr., of Sturgis, SD, Michael (Jodie) Lehrkamp, of Caputa, SD, and David Lehrkamp (special friend, Margie Ford), of Nemo, SD; son-in-law: Tim Donaldson, of Sturgis, SD; one sister: Phyllis Lassanske of Aberdeen, SD; ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Bertha Lehrkamp, brothers, Walter Lehrkamp Jr., William Lehrkamp, and James Lehrkamp, daughter, Tammy Donaldson, and grandson, Lee Lehrkamp.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD, with a visitation to begin at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow with military honors at Black Hills National cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
Memorial has been established to Sturgis Ambulance service.
Roberts Family would like extend a special thank you to the staff at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital and the Hospice Unit at Fort Meade VAMC for Roberts compassionate care.
