Bottger, Robert C. "Bob", passed away, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the age of 78. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, son of Robert and Norah (nee Ferguson) Bottger.

He is the beloved husband for 32 years of JoAnn Mary Bottger (nee Scherting); dear father of Timothy Jude (Angie) Bottger, Kristopher Jude (Heather Jo) Bottger, and Cynthia Ann Cant; proud grandfather of Cooper Jude Bottger and Jagger Christine Bottger; dear brother of George (Rose) Bottger, John (Barbara) Bottger, Ann (Roger) DiBiase, and Alan Bottger; plus numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, students and his four-legged sidekick of 15 years, Savannah.

Bob received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Springfield College and became a lifetime educator. Bob started his career as a swimming coach at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, then continued at Iowa State University.   He then became an Athletic Director at Indian River Junior College in Florida and then St. Louis Community College at Meramec. He received numerous awards for his excellence in leadership, including being inducted into the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Hall of Fame and inducted into the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame.

Services:   Memorial visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Robert C. Bottger Athletic Scholarship at St. Louis Community College . Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.