ROBERT ALTENBURG

A Celebration of Life for Robert Altenburg, 78, of Pickstown, will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 12 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wagner. Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Armour at a later date. Visitation with family will be at the church on Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, PO Box 80, Lake Norden, SD 57248. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Charles “Bob” Altenburg, age 78, of Pickstown, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at the Avera Hospice House in Yankton.

Robert was born to Charles and June Altenburg and lived a life defined by service, leadership, and an enduring love for family and baseball. Known to most as Bob, he was a steady and dependable presence—reliable, dedicated, and always willing to step forward when others needed him.

A lifelong lover of the game, Bob devoted much of his life to baseball. The most enjoyment Bob had in base-ball besides playing, was coaching the Teener Teams in Lyman and Gregory in the 1980’s and 1990’s. He loved those players and appreciated all the community support.

Bob also served South Dakota Amateur Baseball for many years as District Commissioner and later as Vice President during a 30-year span. One of Bob’s greatest honors was also his induction into the SD Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame alongside his lifelong friend Herb Sundall in 2009. Bob was honored as Amateur Baseball Man of the Year in 2018. Bob’s starting and maintaining of “Friends of Amateur Baseball” has raised over $110,000 during its 13-year existence. Those efforts greatly helped South Dakota Amateur Baseball in their past and future endeavors. He gave countless hours to players, teams, and communities across the state. His impact reached far beyond the field, shaping young athletes through mentorship, sportsmanship, and fairness.

Bob wa s deeply committed to the c ommu n i ties he called home, including Armour, Reliance, Pierre,Presho, G r e g o r y , Winner, and Pickstown. Throughout his li fe, he served in numerous civic and volunteer roles, including Baseball Coach, City Board Chair in Pickstown, Commercial Club member, Jaycees member, Lions Club member, Volunteer Firefighter, EMT, and Church Elder and Elder Chair at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory. In recognition of his service, Bob was also named South Dakota EMT of the Year in 1984.

In addition to his volunteer service, Bob proudly served as Chief of Police in Presho. Later, he worked as a District Representative for Thrivent Financial, where he found great fulfillment partnering with Kevin Meiners of Winner. His professional roles reflected his strong sense of responsibility and lifelong commitment to helping others.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Pam Altenburg; his brother, Jerry with wife Cheri Altenburg; nephews Jim and Chris; his children, Tanya, Dan, and Ryan; and his stepchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, and Jackie. He was a proud grandfather to: Charles, Jack, Calvin, and Evie June Altenburg; Devin and Maura Javers; Tanner, Carley, and Maverick Miller; Aiyanna and Brooke Reddest; Kaitlyn and Danica Valentine; and Collin, Cameron, Caleb, Cohen, and Cambria Zahrbock. Each of whom brought him immense joy and pride.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and June Altenburg; his son, Chad Miller; his ex-wife Joanne Altenburg, and his in-laws Larry and Barb Wuestewald.

Bob will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to family, his deep love of baseball, and the countless lives he touched through service, leadership, and quiet generosity. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.