lit a candle 1d ago98 years old, nine kids, married 61 years to the same woman. just sat here doing the math on that for a minute. my grandfather was a draftsman too, different company, and I keep thinking about how that job doesn't really exist anymore, the way people just drew things by hand all day and some of it ended up patented and most of it didn't and nobody outside the family ever knew the difference. anyway I never heard of this man before today, just clicked on the obituary, don't even know why. two patents for tractor parts. nine kids. nobody's going to write a biography of him and maybe that's fine, maybe that's the whole point. ok I'm rambling, didn't mean to write this much about a stranger
Their story
Robert H. "Bob" Brunker was a longtime resident of Somers, Wisconsin, near Kenosha, who spent much of his working life as a draftsman for International Harvester. He died on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at his residence, at the age of 98. Unlike many of the figures covered on this site,…
Robert H. "Bob" Brunker was a longtime resident of Somers, Wisconsin, near Kenosha, who spent much of his working life as a draftsman for International Harvester. He died on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at his residence, at the age of 98. Unlike many of the figures covered on this site, Brunker was not a nationally known public figure with a Wikipedia biography; he is remembered within his community and by his large family as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and as a military veteran.
Brunker was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 3, 1928, the son of Wright John and Cora (Jones) Brunker. He married Joan T. Duschene in Chicago on November 6, 1954, and the couple went on to raise nine children together in the Kenosha area. Joan predeceased him after 61 years of marriage.
Professionally, Brunker worked as a draftsman for International Harvester, the agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturer, and was credited with two patents for designs related to tractor implements, a detail that points to a quiet but genuine contribution to American farm machinery engineering during the twentieth century. Obituary notices describe him as a military veteran, though further details of his branch of service and years of duty have not yet been published. In retirement, he was known locally for his time at the Kenosha Senior Citizens' Center, for woodworking, and for an interest in personal investing.
Brunker's death was first reported through a death notice and obituary issued by Piasecki Funeral Home of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and carried by the Kenosha News, Kenosha.com and Legacy.com. The notices describe a man who built a long life around family: he is survived by nine children, Jeanne, Linda, Tim, Mariann, Richard, Robert, Jennifer, Amy and Martin, along with 21 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. There has been no public reaction beyond the funeral home notices and the family's own obituary, which is typical for a private citizen rather than a celebrity or political figure.
A visitation and funeral service are scheduled for November 8, 2026, at Piasecki Funeral Home in Kenosha, with the family receiving condolences there before burial. Because Brunker lived a private life outside of public office, entertainment, sports or other spheres that typically generate biographical coverage, much of what can be verified about him comes directly from his funeral home obituary rather than from independent journalism, and some details of his earlier life and military service remain unconfirmed at this time.
Biography adapted from News reports and the sources cited on this page; death reported by Legacy | Obituary.
