Robert Wayne Senger
Nov. 21, 1937 – July 15, 2020
Robert Wayne Senger,
age 82, formerly of
Bismarck ND, passed
away at Harbor Chase in
Wellington, Florida on
July 15, 2020 from com-
plications of Alzheimer’s
disease. Bob was born No-
vember 21, 1937, along
with his identical twin
brother Richard as a home
birth in Rugby, ND. Bob
was the second child born
to Wendell and Violet
Senger who owned
Senger’s Variety store. As
identical twins, Robert
and Richard were a hand-
ful when growing up and
often tried to trade on
their close looks to get
away with shenanigans.
He married Cecile Lucille
Hilzendager on November
26, 1958, in Rugby, North
Dakota. They were mar-
ried just shy of 43 years.
He is preceded in death
by his brother Richard
(May 12, 1980), wife Lu-
cille (July 23, 2001), and
both parents.
Early in his life, Bob
worked in law enforce-
ment, starting as a police
officer for the Rugby Pol-
ice Force. In 1963 Bob
and his family moved to
Grafton, where he started
working for the North
Dakota Highway Patrol. In
1966 he was promoted to
Sergeant and was
transferred to Bismarck.
In 1971, Governor Willi-
am Guy presented Bob
with the North Dakota
Outstanding Young Law
Officer award. He spent
twelve years with the
North Dakota State High-
way Patrol. As relayed by
Bob to his family he was a
“by the book” kind of guy
and no one was let off
with just a warning.
After leaving the High-
way Patrol, Bob worked as
a property claims adjuster
for American Family In-
surance for a short period
of time in Grand Forks,
North Dakota. Thus was
the beginning for two of
his daughters and two
grandsons to follow in his
footsteps.
He was most proud of
the twenty-four years of
service he put in with the
Public Service Commis-
sion, as Director of the
Motor Carrier Division,
holding numerous hear-
ings, testifying and
modernizing the Motor
Carrier Division’s policies
and operations. He was
well thought of by many
and was considered a very
level headed and thought-
ful person who knew
when to speak his mind.
He successfully served
under multiple Governors
including William L Guy,
Arthur A Link, Allen I Ol-
son, George A Sinner and
Ed Shafer.
During Bob’s retirement
he highlighted being a
part of the 2002 World
Curling Championship
which was held in
Bismarck and where he
assisted as a driver to par-
ticipating international
teams. He also worked as
a page during two North
Dakota Legislative Ses-
sions in the halls of the
Capitol and among the
legislators that he knew so
well.
He is survived by his
older brother John (Doris)
Senger, three daughters,
Robin Ann (Jon)
Senger-Gietzen, Rebecca
Lynn (Richard) Anderson,
and Sara Jane Mullen. He
was very proud of his four
grandsons, Joshua (Jen-
nifer) Gietzen, Eric
(Kaitlyn) Gietzen, Brian
(Hanna) Gietzen, Max
Mullen and great grand-
son, Gregory Gietzen. He
also leaves behind many
nieces, one nephew, sis-
ters- in- law Loretta (Bob)
Johnson, Linda (Tim)
Estes and many long term
friends. Bob enjoyed read-
ing, gardening, canning,
yard work, and the
sunshine. He was a loyal
coffee club member and
was quite fond of his
group of men who met
every morning. Bob en-
joyed debating the politi-
cal topic of the day and
considered this time one
of the highlights of his
day.
He shared a long-term
loving relationship with
Catherine Maxey and they
moved to Hamilton, MT
in 2013. He was able to
spend several years in
Hamilton with Cathy and
her daughter Barbara
Rose, and grandson James
(Bradie) Norberry. Bob
and Cathy enjoyed doing
many things together in-
cluding their shared love
for gardening, crafting and
taking their dog, Brandi,
for walks.
He served his country
in the North Dakota Na-
tional Guard, retiring with
the rank of staff Sergeant
in 1982. Due to current
SARS COVID-19 limita-
tions, memorial services
will be delayed until the
summer of 2021, when he
will be buried at the
North Dakota Veteran’s
Cemetery with military
honors. Arrangements
will be made by Eastgate
Funeral Home, Bismarck
ND. The family suggests
any donations be made to
either Alzheimer research
or the North Dakota Zoo
in Bismarck, ND.