April 29, 1947- April 8, 2026

Robert Edward Beumer was born on April 29, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Eugene and Florence (Braun) Beumer. He grew up in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood, where he attended Ascension Lutheran Church and Ascension Lutheran School. A naturally gifted and accomplished athlete, Bob was a three-sport letterman at Lutheran High School South. Much to the surprise of his grandchildren, he could do a cartwheel and a roundoff – “party tricks” that he liked to perform well into his forties.

After graduating from Lutheran South in 1965, Bob continued his Lutheran education at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he earned a degree in history and secondary education. During his time at Valparaiso, he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and formed many lifelong friendships. He married the love of his life, fellow Valparaiso graduate Luanne Wetendorf, on June 7, 1969, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Des Plaines, Illinois—just one day before their college graduation.

Bob began his professional career as a high school history teacher at Brentwood High School, Brentwood, Missouri where he also coached football, baseball, and wrestling. While attending Resurrection Lutheran Church, he was invited by fellow member Robert Wehmueller to work holidays and summers at Wehmueller Jewelers. After the birth of their children, Bob made the bold decision to transition full-time into the jewelry business. Over several years, he rose to the position of Executive Vice President at Wehmueller Jewelers.

Bob was later recruited by longtime friend Dorian Magwitz to join Hamilton Jewelers, where he would eventually become owner and President. He relished leading the store known as “Where the Sports Crowd Shops,” building lasting relationships with players, coaches, executives, and broadcasters from the Cardinals, Rams, Blues, and numerous other professional and collegiate teams. Yet his greatest professional joy came from helping individuals—especially young
teachers, seminarians, and pastors—select meaningful gifts and engagement rings within their means.

Bob was deeply involved in civic and community life. He served as a director of the St. Louis Sports Commission and Downtown St. Louis, Inc. He was a longtime member of the Missouri Athletic Club, where he served on the Board of Governors from 1994 to 1997. Time spent at the MAC—especially during holidays, special occasions, and Saturday mornings with family and friends—remained among his most cherished memories.

A lifelong Lutheran, Bob generously gave his time and resources to numerous organizations, serving as a director and leader of many boards including those for Concordia Lutheran Church, Christ Community Lutheran School, Lutheran High School South, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, the Lutheran Elementary Schools’ Association, Grace Place Ministries, Concordia Publishing House, and the Lutheran Camp Association at Camp Arcadia in Michigan.

Bob’s greatest pride and joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Luanne; his children, Beth Ann Basler (John), Brent Christian Beumer (Ashley), and Rebecca Lynn Zacharias (Mike); and his brother, Richard Eugene Beumer (Judy). He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren—Jack, Zoe, Henry, Kate, Lucy, George, Liz, and Sam—and was dearly loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and close family friends. He was
preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Florence.

The family will receive friends at Concordia Lutheran Church, 505 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, Missouri, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life service. In accordance with Bob’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered at Camp Arcadia, a place that he first visited as a young boy and returned to for physical and spiritual rest and rejuvenation for over 70 years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, Camp Arcadia, or Lutheran High School South.