South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Courtesy Photo
SDSU ATHLETICS REMEMBERS BOB BARTLING
3/1/2024 4:00:00 PM | General
Businessman. Athlete. Historian. Friend.
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For those who crossed paths with longtime Brookings and South Dakota State booster Bob Bartling over the years, he was all these things and more. Jackrabbit Athletics joins countless others in mourning his passing this past weekend at age 97.
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Right up to his passing, Bartling remained a loyal fan and season ticket holder for Jackrabbit sports. He served in his later years as a dedicated volunteer on the SDSU campus at the Briggs Library, where he moved his extensive collection of running publications and periodicals. Bartling also curated thousands of wrestling articles into card files.
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"Bob truly was an amazing man who brought boundless energy to the many things he was passionate about, including Jackrabbit Athletics," SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. "You never saw Bob have a bad day — his positive attitude and infectious personality resonates with all of us who were fortunate to have had him in our lives."Â
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Bartling was a member of Jackrabbit football, basketball and track and field teams following his graduation from Brookings High School in 1944. His education was interrupted by military service during World War II, but he later completed degrees at the University of Minnesota and the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science.
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He later returned to Brookings and was a business owner for more than 45 years, first operating the family furniture store and funeral home, and later a shoe store that served as a destination for running enthusiasts across the region. He was a charter member of the Prairie Striders running club and competed in the organization's Jack 15 road race a record 38 times.
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Visitation is planned for 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. A complete obituary can be found here.
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For those who crossed paths with longtime Brookings and South Dakota State booster Bob Bartling over the years, he was all these things and more. Jackrabbit Athletics joins countless others in mourning his passing this past weekend at age 97.
Â
Right up to his passing, Bartling remained a loyal fan and season ticket holder for Jackrabbit sports. He served in his later years as a dedicated volunteer on the SDSU campus at the Briggs Library, where he moved his extensive collection of running publications and periodicals. Bartling also curated thousands of wrestling articles into card files.
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"Bob truly was an amazing man who brought boundless energy to the many things he was passionate about, including Jackrabbit Athletics," SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. "You never saw Bob have a bad day — his positive attitude and infectious personality resonates with all of us who were fortunate to have had him in our lives."Â
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Bartling was a member of Jackrabbit football, basketball and track and field teams following his graduation from Brookings High School in 1944. His education was interrupted by military service during World War II, but he later completed degrees at the University of Minnesota and the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science.
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He later returned to Brookings and was a business owner for more than 45 years, first operating the family furniture store and funeral home, and later a shoe store that served as a destination for running enthusiasts across the region. He was a charter member of the Prairie Striders running club and competed in the organization's Jack 15 road race a record 38 times.
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Visitation is planned for 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. A complete obituary can be found here.
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