Robert Senff
Age - 96
November 26, 2023
Robert Fred Senff, aged 96, of Del Valle, Texas, peacefully passed away on Friday, November 24 at Seton Hospital on 38th Street in Austin. Born in Pflugerville, Texas, in his grandfather Pfennigs' home on April 19, 1927, his early years were marked by the loss of his mother at the age of two years and 11 months. His father remarried, and they resided in Shive, Texas. Summers were spent working on his grandpa Pfennigs' farm in Pflugerville. During his high school years, he lived full time with his grandpa and attended Pflugerville High School. In 1945, he received draft orders for the army infantry, joining General Patton's army towards the end of World War II, serving in Germany at Dekendorf, a cavalry base south of Munich. When his commander found out he could understand and speak German, they moved him to Counterintelligence (CID) where he worked for over a year. During the Korean War in 1951, to avoid being drafted back into the army at age 24, Robert went to Bergstrom Air Force Base to sign up with the Air Force. Assigned as a staff sergeant in the P51 fighter squadron in California, he worked with aircraft parts and tools. Later he was sent to Iceland, where he served as a Tech Sergeant and Master Sergeant in Supply. Returning in 1953, he balanced part-time duty in the Air Force Civil Engineers Reserves while working for the Cash and Carry grocery chain and the 7-Up Bottling Company under the management of his relative, Henry Kuempel. He married Murlene Walker on April 28, 1957, at the age of 30 and they moved into their first home that year. Shortly after their marriage, Robert went back to school to learn how to fix TVs. He would go to TV shops like Oscar Snowden and buy broken TVs for $5 apiece and fix them. Their son Douglas was born December 9, 1963. Murlene passed away on January 19, 1968. With 24 years at the 7-Up Bottling Company, he transitioned full-time to the Air Force Civil Engineers Reserves until retiring at 60. Robert was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). His post-retirement years were devoted to carpentry, mastering the craft of home construction, encompassing wiring and plumbing, on his Del Valle property where he worked alongside his son. Tragedy struck again on April 19, 2001, when his only son, Douglas, passed unexpectedly at the age of 37 due to a brain aneurysm. Robert loved to cook BBQ and competed in countless cook-offs around Texas with his friends, winning numerous awards. He loved to go dancing with friends and loved ones at dance halls including the Crystal Chandelier in New Braunfels. His companion, Debra Thompson, shared in his adventures, attending reunions, cook-offs, and gatherings. Known for his lively character, he formed enduring friendships throughout his extensive life. Robert has been described as "the most outrageous uncle in the world", "a fighter", "master storyteller", "rolling with whatever life dealt him each day", "the word "quit" was not in his vocabulary", "an overcomer of so much tragedy in his life" and "a sharp mind where all those memories are stored up". The day before he could no longer speak, he was telling stories and reminiscing on the past with many people. His two cell phones by his side kept him in touch with everyone at all times. Robert was a man of faith and was active at Salem Lutheran Church. He oftentimes cooked the catfish at the annual church event alongside his friends. He loved to connect with people and went to the Pfluger Reunion every 4th of July, as well as the Senff reunions, where he would supply and fry the fish. Robert is preceded in death by his first wife Murlene Walker, followed by second wife Yvonne Wusterhausen, third wife Rebecca Ray, son Douglas Senff, companion Debra Thompson, mother Ellen Pfennig Senff, father Gerhard Senff, step-mother Gertrude Riewe Senff, siblings Helen Ruth Dewitt, Angeline (Angie) Andreas, and Paul Senff. He is survived by his sisters Rachel St. John and Nell Curtis, along with countless nieces, nephews, and friends.Show more
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