Robert Beussink Jr.

Robert H. “Bob” Beussink Jr., 73, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 21, 1951, in Cape Girardeau County to Robert H. Sr. and Evelyn Marie Nenninger Beussink. He and Nanette Kupferer were married Nov. 20, 1971, at St. Justin the Martyr Church in Crestwood.

Bob attended St. John’s Grade School in Leopold. He completed elementary school in St. Louis and then graduated from Mother of Good Counsel Seminary High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, where he met his future wife and many good friends at the Newman Center.

He began his teaching career at Scott County Central and went on to teach at Perryville High School for more than 30 years, where he was affectionately known as “Mr. B”. He taught English, creative writing, speech and drama, and helped to build many homecoming floats. He inspired his students and the next generation of teachers with his enthusiasm, creativity and kindness.

Throughout his younger years, Bob worked with family members at Beussink Brothers Wood Works. Woodworking remained a hobby and talent throughout his life.

In retirement, he and Nan purchased land and built their dream home, where they enjoyed tending to their property and their horses and hosting their family for holidays. Bob was known for his wit and sense of humor; family and friends will miss his jokes, pranks and funny gifts.

Bob was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus in Jackson and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. He had a distinctive sonorous voice and many enjoyed when he served as a reader at Mass.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 53 years, Nan Beussink; children, Evelyn Beussink (Jon Craiglow), and their son, Parker Craiglow of Jackson, and Jeremy (Lera) Beussink, and their son, Anders of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; his siblings, Karen (Kim) Rigdon, Chris (Lisa) Beussink, Marsha (Dan) Williams, Janice (Mitch) Long, Matt (Jama) Beussink, Jeff (Michelle) Beussink and Chad (Misty) Beussink, as well as Nan’s siblings, Mark Kupferer of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Bill Kupferer of St. Louis; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Irma C. Ziegler Beussink; and Nan’s parents, Adolph and Bonnie Buescher Kupferer.

Guests are invited to parish prayers and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The family will receive guests after the rosary, with visitation concluding at 8 p.m.

The Revs. Andrew Williams and Randolph Tochtrop will con-celebrate the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. Inurnment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests Razom (www.razomforukraine.org), Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R. (www.franciscan sisterstor.org) or the Immaculate Conception Church building fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Bob’s obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.