Robert Roghair was born August 29, 1933 in Okaton, South Dakota to Henry and Cornelia (Cleveringa) Roghair. He was the youngest of 13 children. Robert attended school in Okaton and graduated from the last high school class at Okaton High School in 1950. Robert entered the United States Army in September 1956 and served in a peace keeping unit as a medic in Korea until June 1958. The remainder of his life was spent in farming raising Hereford cattle and grain crops. Robert was a handyman and could fix almost anything.

On December 5, 1959, Robert was united in marriage to a “city gal” named Bessie Oldenkamp. She quickly adapted to farm life and enjoyed it. To this union were born three children: Cynthia, Kristine, and Curtis.

Robert was a member of the Evangelical Free Church of Okaton as well as teaching Sunday school and being on the Board of Elders for many years. He also served on the Jones County School Board.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years Bessie of Okaton; one son Curtis Roghair and his wife Kerry of Okaton; two daughters Cynthia Shippy and her husband Roger of Colome, and Kristine Waters and her husband Douglas of Carter; nine grandchildren Ron (Stephanie) Shippy, Ryan Shippy, Candace (Ross) Patmore, Caitlin (Jarrod) Serr, Christy Shippy, Trevor Waters, Kaleb Waters, Fernanda Montoya and Melissa Montoya; six great-grandchildren Rogue, Danger, and Charity Patmore, and Zona, Milo, and Cora Serr; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Cornelia Roghair, two infant granddaughters Emily and Erin Waters, and five brothers Edward (Margaret), Jacob (Grace), Albert (Eva), William, and Ted; seven sisters Hilda who died as a young girl, Harriet (Dick) Noteboom, Janette (William) Kelly, Alice (Case) Oostwouder, Hilda (Don) Prelipp, Gertrude (John) VanderSchaaf, and Joanna (Budwin) Grover.

Memorials may be directed to the Victory Center Bible Camp.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. (CST) on Monday, December 31, at the Evangelical Free Church in Okaton.

Burial will follow at the Murdo Cemetery in Murdo.