Robert John “Bob” Kremer, 73, Columbia, passed away March 1, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born Aug. 8, 1950, the oldest of seven children to Wilfred and MaryAnn (Broker) Kremer in Jefferson City.
He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, after which he was drafted into the Army and served during the Vietnam War at the Fort Deitrick, MD U.S. Army Biological Warfare Laboratories for two years where he met his wife Maureen (Mo) Brandon.
Bob was united in marriage to Mo March 15, 1975, in Rockville, Md.
He then returned to Missouri to complete his Master’s Degree in Soil Science in 1975, and went on to obtain a PhD in Soil Microbiology from Mississippi State University in 1980.
Immediately after marriage, Bob worked as a quality control technician at Research Seeds in St. Joseph. After completing his Master’s and PhD degrees, he went on to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service for 35 years. In addition to his role at the USDA, he also contributed to the completion of over 100 post-graduate degrees at the University of Missouri. He was a published author of many academic and field publications, and assisted many farmers post-retirement through his KC Consulting company. He was well-known and respected around the world within the field of soil science.
Bob was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Columbia and enjoyed tending to his garden, spending time with his family and reading. He frequented his family farm in Frankenstein where he always found peace in “God’s country”.
Bob and brother, Russ organized Cedar Creek EcoFarm, LLC in 2023 with plans to operate and demonstrate regenerative production practices at the family’s century farm.
He was preceded in death by parents, Wilfred and MaryAnn Kremer.
Bob is survived by wife, Mo; children, Andrew Kremer and wife Amanda of Cincinnati, Ohio and Erin Moore and husband Anthony of Columbia; siblings Joyce Weidinger and husband Mark of Vienna, Deb Hammond of Eagle River, Wis., Russ Kremer of Frankenstein, Karen Muenks and husband Glenn of Loose Creek, Marie Searle and husband Wynn of Lewisville, Texas and Roberta Rader and husband Jason of Springfield; grandchildren, Ainsley and Addison Kremer, Ava and Emma Moore, and step-grandchild, Bentley Moore; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 9, at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Frankenstein followed by a Mass of Christian Burial with Fr. Colin Franklin officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in the Garden of Gethsemane in Frankenstein.
Memorial contributions suggested to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
