Robert Arthur Leuenberger Sr.

Robert (Bob) Leuenberger, 96, passed away on Tuesday August 18, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Jan. 3,1930 the second child of Arthur W. and Elsa K. Leuenberger.

He grew up in the depression years with his first job delivering papers year-round despite the Milwaukee snow and ice. During his teen years, he sang in the Lutheran Choir, because that was where the girls were, and had a close nit group of friends that enjoyed ice skating and dancing, he loved to dance.

He worked at the Holeproof Hosiery Company and at Schuster’s Dept. Store in his teen years before he graduated from High School in Milwaukee. During college summers he worked at Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery to finance college. After two years at University of Missouri, Columbia he was drafted into the US Army and served in Germany for two years. He returned to college with his GI Bill, a Dodge convertible and as he described, “a 4-wheel personality.”

He completed his degree graduating from the University of Missouri in 1958 … but not before using those dancing skills on a blind date to woo and fall in love with Floy Cope from Hollandale, Mississippi who became his lifelong love and wife of 69 years.

Bob and Floy spent 13 years in Gulfport, Mississippi where they grew their family to 5 while he worked for Hancock Bank and volunteered his time in the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Gulfport and the Masonic Lodge.

In 1971 they moved back to Columbia where Bob spent 8 years working for First Bank of Commerce and then 10 years working for the State of Missouri in the Purchasing Dept. In Columbia he continued as a Mason and served as a DeMolay Dad to support his sons who were in DeMolay and his daughter who was in Rainbow Girls. He also rose to be President of the Columbia Cosmopolitan Club. He and Floy were active members of the United Methodist Church since college and recently they joined the Congregational Church in Summerfield, Fl.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Floy Leuenberger and their three children: Robert A. Leuenberger Jr. (Brenda) of Columbia, Floy Lea Leuenberger of Lexington, Ky, and Duncan Cope Leuenberger, Sr. (Linda) of Linn Creek, Mo. He enjoyed being a loving Grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren whom all loved him as well. Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Margie Rogers (Buck).

Growing up during the depression gave him a love for the simple things in life such as convertible car rides, swimming, canned peaches, chocolate milk, and especially gravy. He loved living in Florida, most specifically the warm tropical climate, the flowers and the sunshine that he loved to bask in. He often called it “Living in Paradise!” He felt blessed every day to live in Del Webb, with his wife and all their friends and caring neighbors.

Bob’s memory will live on in our hearts and in every family celebration. He and his, quick wit, humorous view of life, love of chocolate, thin pepperoni and mushroom pizza, and especially gravy will be missed beyond words.

The family extends its thanks to the kindness and care of the Hospice of Marion County staff and the VA staff from Always Caring.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 26, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Congregational Church at 15421 US-301, Summerfield, FL. Lunch will follow in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Neptune Society, 17350 SE 109th Terrace Rd., Summerfield, FL 34491. Online condolences may be left below.