Robert Senger

Robert Wayne Senger, 82, formerly of Bismarck ND, passed away at Harbor Chase in Wellington, Florida on July 15, 2020 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Funeral Procession led by Sgt. Wade Kadrmas of the North Dakota State Highway Patrol will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 10 from Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. Following arrival at 9 a.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, a Cemetery Chapel Prayer Service will begin, followed by the Graveside Prayer with full Military Honors at 9:15 a.m.

Family will greet guests beginning 10 a.m. at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck. A Memorial Service with a time for Sharing of Memories will begin at 11 a.m. Family invites those attending to a lunch following the service.

Bob was born November 21, 1937, along with his identical twin brother Richard, as a home birth in Rugby, ND. Bob was the second child born to Wendell and Violet Senger who owned Senger’s Variety store. As identical twins, Robert and Richard were a handful when growing up and often tried to trade on their close looks to get away with shenanigans. He married Cecile Lucille Hilzendager on November 26, 1958, in Rugby North Dakota.

Early in his life, Bob worked in law enforcement, starting as a police officer for the Rugby Police Force.  In 1963 Bob and his family moved to Grafton, where he started with the North Dakota Highway Patrol.  In 1966 he was promoted to Sergeant and was transferred to Bismarck. In 1971, Governor William Guy presented Bob with the Outstanding Highway Patrolman award.  He spent twelve years with the North Dakota State Highway Patrol. As relayed by Bob to his family he was a “by the book” kind of guy and no one was let off with a just a warning. 

After leaving the Highway Patrol, Bob worked as a property claims adjuster for American Family Insurance for a short period of time in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Thus was the beginning for two of his daughters and two grandsons to follow in his footsteps in the insurance industry.

He was most proud of the twenty-four years of service he put in with the Public Service Commission, as Director of the Motor Carrier Division, holding numerous hearings, testifying and modernizing the

Motor Carrier Division’s policies and operations. He was well thought of by many and was considered a very level headed and thoughtful person who knew when to speak his mind. He retired in 1999.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; Richard and his wife of 42 years, Lucille, and John Senger, who passed August 2021.

He is survived by Catherine Maxey (Hamilton, MT). with whom he shared a long-term loving relationship, Three daughters; Robin (Jon) Senger-Gietzen, Rebecca (Richard) Anderson, and Sara Mullen. He was very proud of his four grandsons; Joshua (Jennifer) Gietzen, Eric (Kaitlyn) Gietzen, Brian (Hanna) Gietzen, and Max Mullen. He leaves behind great grandsons, Gregory and Wendell Gietzen, many nieces, one nephew, sisters-in-law Loretta (Bob) Johnson, Linda (Tim) Estes, Doris (John) Senger and many long term friends. Bob enjoyed reading, gardening, canning, yard work, and the sunshine. 

He served his country in the North Dakota National Guard, retiring with the rank of staff Sergeant in 1982. The family suggests any donations be made to either Alzheimer research or the North Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, ND.