Robert L. “Bob” Haverkamp, 67, of Bern, KS, died Sunday, January 23, 2005, shortly after arrival at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born September 8, 1937, on a farm northeast of Kelly, the son of George F. and Evelyn M. Winkler Haverkamp. He grew up there, helped on the family farm, and graduated from St. Bede’s High School in Kelly in 1955. He farmed and during the winter worked for Koelzer Lumber Co, the Farmer’s Elevator and Huerter Oil Co.

On November 24, 1958, he married Janice Stallbaumer at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived northeast of St. Benedict for three years before moving to a farm northwest of Bern in 1961. In 1970 they moved to their present farm northwest of Bern where they grew crops, operated a dairy, and raised hogs. Bob did custom harvesting for several years. In 1980 he began working as a contract crop adjuster for Federal Crop Insurance and then with National Ag Underwriters and Blakely Crop Insurance. Bob became a claims representative for Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Since 1989 he taught yearly continuing education classes for crop insurance adjusters. Since 1994 he has been the claims representative for Eastern Kansas Rural Community Insurance Services.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church in Seneca. Bob collected John Deere tractors and toy tractors. He restored a 1958 Chevrolet, the same year and model he and his wife owned when they were married.

Survivors besides his wife Janice of the home are six sons, Robert G., Mark, Alan, Leon, and Neal Haverkamp, all of Bern, and Kent of Denver, CO; five daughters, Nancy Steinlage and Julie Lierz, both of Seneca, Lynda Cross of Centralia, Donna Reschke of Overland Park, and Tricia Cain of Manhattan; four brothers, Avitus of Wetmore, Melvin, William “Bill” (Bob’s twin), and George J., all of Seneca; a sister, Georgina Holthaus of Baileyville; and 27 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Tuesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School Building Fund or the Bern Community Foundation, and sent in care of the family.