Robert Anthony Bruch

Robert Anthony (Bob) Bruch, age 91 and a lifelong resident of Bluefield, West Virginia, was peacefully welcomed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on September 3rd, 2019. Son of the late William J Bruch and Eva Kilcoyne Bruch, Bob passed from this world in the home he was born in after a short illness. His wife of nearly 65 years, Mary T. Bruch, remained by his side during his journey. Bob was a life-long member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and retired from the Norfolk Southern Railroad with 44 years of service on the Pocahontas Division. He served in the US Army in 1946 at the end of World War II and enlisted in the US Naval Reserve in 1947, where he served in surface, aviation, and Seabee units in Bluefield, Roanoke, and Norfolk VA. Bob advanced through the enlisted ranks, was selected for Warrant Officer, and retired after 33 years as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4). He continued service as a West Virginia Blue and Gold Officer for the US Naval Academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, mentoring young service members in their military career paths. Bob was a Beaver High School graduate (class of 1946) and continued his education at Concord College (University), Athens, West Virginia, graduating in 1951. He was a life-member of the Knights of Columbus (4th degree), a member of American Legion Riley-Vest Post #9, a life member of Bluefield Elks Lodge 619, and was an Eagle Scout. A quiet, hard working and dependable man of faith, he served as a model for his Family and is survived by his wife Mary T. Bruch, and children Robert Allen Bruch (Kae) of Roanoke, Virginia, Anthony Lee Bruch (Cynthia) of Mandeville, Louisiana, and Katherine Ann Bruch (Leanna) of Bedford, Virginia, grandchildren Ryan Austin Bruch (Bridgette), Jacob Spencer Bruch, Jonathan Corey Bruch and Haley Katherine Bruch, great-grandson Reid Austin Bruch, and sister-in-law Gail Bruch of Richmond, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his brothers Dr William M. Bruch and wife Sarah of Richmond, Virginia, John Donald Bruch of Richmond, Virginia, and sister Christine Schneider and husband COL Edwin A. Schneider, (USAF) of Honolulu, Hawaii. A special thanks is extended to the caring team at Amedisys Hospice and to the wonderful caregivers who became part of the Family. A brief visitation will be held at 1 pm Friday September 6 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by a 2 pm Catholic Mass. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, West Virginia following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sacred Heart Church of Bluefield, West Virginia, the Bluefield Rescue Squad, or the Wade Center of Bluefield, West Virginia. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr Robert Bruch.

Robert Anthony Bruch

November 17, 1927 - September 3, 2019