Robert "Bob" J. Leeper

Robert "Bob" Joseph Leeper, 68, of Hermann, Missouri died July 4, 2020 at Hermann Area District Hospital, the result of congestive heart failure.  

Mr. Leeper was born July 23, 1951 in Gasconade, Missouri to Alice Rosella (Schellhammer) and James Leeper.  He was the husband of Sharon (Eggert) Leeper.  They were united in marriage on December 30, 1968, in Gasconade, Missouri. She survives in the home. 

He worked at Kellwood Co., Mobile Oil, and Von Hoffmann Press. He retired in 2001. He belonged to Zion St. Paul United Church of Christ in Bay, Missouri, The Eagles, and The Rough Country Trail Riders of Hermann, Missouri.

Robert loved baseball. He coached little league softball and baseball over the years. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, riding horses, and taking trips with friends and family. He enjoyed collecting guns and knives and attending flea markets with his brother Darrel and his grandchildren. 

Robert is survived by his wife, Sharon Leeper; his three daughters: Dawn Thornhill, of Wright City, Missouri; Dana Cebulak (Troy), of Hermann, Missouri; and Shannon Dieckman (Danny), of Warrenton, Missouri; his seven grandchildren: Alyssa Shelby (Marcus), Courtney Thomas, Danyelle Dieckman, Brittni Cebulak, Megan Cebulak, Wesley Cebulak, and Devon Dieckman; his great-grandson Asher Mercado.  He is also survived by brother Darrell and wife Teresa of Fulton, Missouri; one sister: Mary Ellen Leeper of Sealy, Texas;  two sister in-laws:  Carolyn Leeper of Portland, Missouri, and Mary Leeper of Hermann, Missouri; two brother in-laws: Herb Krattli of New Haven, Missouri, and George Fulghum, Kansas City, Kansas; and multiple nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Alice; five beloved siblings: Bonnie Wehemeyer, James Leeper, Myrna Krattli, Jevota Fulghum, and Greg Leeper; and one infant grandson, Wyatt Joseph Cebulak. 

“Crappa”: The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Robert meant so much to so many people—especially his grandchildren. There are so many small and notable moments that will stick in their memories as they remember “Crappa” Leeper: how he always managed to “pull a Bob” when eating and getting food on his shirt (and it was typically a new and/or nice shirt); how he would pretend to be afraid of a Lots-A-Legs stuffed toy named “Willy the Worm” just to entertain his grandkids, who would often hide the plush caterpillar in his bed; how friends/family would yell “Duck, Bob!” during trail rides when there were overhanging branches in the trail. Looking back on these times ultimately highlights how moments become memories and memories become stories. Robert leaves a legacy of children and grandchildren grateful to have been granted enough time to allow precious moments to become precious memories. And while no amount of time with him would ever have been enough, his family will continue to share his story. Robert Leeper will ultimately be remembered for his kindness, his compassion, his humor, and the unwavering love and support he showed his friends and family. He will be missed dearly, but his story lives on through his family.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 9th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann, where funeral services will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will be at Gasconade Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be given to Zion-St. Paul United Church of Christ, Bay, Mo, First Pentecostal Church, or Gasconade Cemetery.  C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.