John R. Bueltel

July 15, 1929 - June 13, 2020

We will be live streaming John's funeral service Wednesday June 24, at 10 a.m. on our Facebook page. You can click on this link. KBFFH Facebook John Robert Bueltel, known to his family as “Bob,” began his life journey on July 15, 1929, in Marysville, Kansas, son of a carpenter and a schoolteacher. He was the second son of four children born to Frank and “Betty” (Sara Elizabeth McGrath) Bueltel. Bob’s journey ended on June 13, 2020, at 90 years young. Many previous generations of his family were in construction. So, it was no surprise when at 14, he began working construction under his father. He would tell stories of a time when basements were dug with a team of horses over a week’s time and contracts were set by a handshake. In 1952, Bob enlisted in the United States Army in the Engineering division. While serving in the Army, he received written recognition from his Battalion Commander for attaining the highest score on the Engineer Proficiency test. In one year, he was also promoted within his unit by Sgt. Steven M. Winston. In his recommendation, Sgt. Winston wrote “He is considered a genuine asset to this unit in the fulfillment of its mission and more especially to the U.S. Army.” When Bob returned to civilian life, he went on a surprise blind date and met Mary Frances Mott. He said he married her because she had stock in IBM. In reality, Bob knew she was the one while they were dancing in front of the grand fireplace in the dance hall near the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The two married on January 15, 1955, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Colorado Springs. The couple returned to Topeka and had two children, Linda and John. Mary and their children remained at the top of Bob’s priority list for the rest of his days. He thoroughly enjoyed his many family members and Mary and Bob frequently hosted family gatherings at their home. In 1973, Bob partnered with Bob Lee and the two started Lee & Bueltel Construction Company. They successfully built office buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, a theatre, an ape house at the zoo, manufacturing facilities and many, many other impressive structures. In addition to Kansas, Bob managed and supervised construction work in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, and Texas. Bob would often point out opportunities to improve function and design from a builder’s perspective and was not afraid to share his opinion – ever. He could talk for hours about his countless experiences in the construction industry. One of his family’s favorite stories was about building high-rise luxury apartments in Denver. Ella Fitzgerald and Kirk Douglas were among the investors he worked with. Evidently, the parties were fabulous and full of song. After building the first two Walmart stores in Topeka in record time, Sam Walton asked Bob to relocate to Arkansas and build Walmart stores exclusively. Sam also told him he needed to get a pilot’s license so he could fly to job sites around the country. Very near to retirement and with no desire to learn to fly a plane, Bob declined Walton’s offer and retired in 1994. While his buildings will stand the test of time, Bob also placed his interest in building people. He never missed responding to a letter or a call or a chance to visit with a great-niece or a grandchild. When Bob wasn’t working, he was talking history and politics, playing golf, watching sports and telling tales. He rarely missed daily Mass at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church to pray for the rest of us. Bob and Mary were able to travel to many spiritual places around the globe. Every summer they took their children on educational and family trips around the United States. He shared an adventurous and wonderful life. In 2014, Mary moved into a memory care unit and for the first time in nearly 60 years, the two lived separately. Being the dedicated and devout husband that Bob was, he drove himself across town and visited his beloved Mary daily in the nursing home. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Linda Bull (Rick); son, John Bueltel (Danita); Grandchildren, Ben and Ian Anderson, Heather Clinton (Eric), Brandon Bull, Brady Bueltel, Sara Peak, Mykel Lloyd, Dalton Lloyd-Becker; great-grandchildren, Payton Bueltel, Preston Peak, Adeline and Scarlet Clinton. His tribe will greatly miss his gift of story, his sense of style, his great faith and his moral compass. Bob’s family is grateful to our extended families at Brewster Place and Aldersgate Village for making his final years stimulating and meaningful. Parish rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where visitation will continue until 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka KS 66604. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hayden Catholic High School or Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, sent in care of the funeral home.