R. L. "Bob" Kaupke passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at his home in Braman at the age of 91 years.

Bob was born on January 4, 1920, near Drummond, Oklahoma, to Lewis and Florence (Woodbury) Kaupke. He started school at the age of five at Del Norte country school and later attended school in Drummond. He worked at Hockaday Hardware in Drummond before entering the United States Air Force on September 23, 1941. He married Loretta Provolt on June 8, 1943, in Drummond and they settled in Roswell, New Mexico, until his discharge on November 27, 1945, having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his discharge he returned to work at Hockaday Hardware before settling on a farm north of Braman, in August of 1946 and continued farming the land until his retirement in 1980. During his time farming, he worked at the Arkansas Louisiana Consolidated Gas Company for twelve years. In 1963 he started a wholesale leather goods business, which he operated until 1983. He spent a large part of his life as a collector and dealer of guns, antiques and western collectibles. He traveled to gun and bit and spur shows in many states for several decades. He was an auctioneer for many years at the Tonkawa Community Sale as well as other horse and antique sales.

Bob and Loretta spent time each winter for over twenty-five years in Port Isabel and Padre Island, Texas, where they enjoyed fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and spending time with good friends. After retirement, he played golf on a regular basis until his health started to fail. He enjoyed spending time at the coffee shop in Braman with his many good friends. He also enjoyed reading poetry and could recite many by memory. He had a talent for art and would sit at his kitchen table and draw pictures of Stetson clad cowboys and cartoon characters. He looked forward to the annual gathering of the Hedges cousins, where he enjoyed playing golf and playing pitch.

He was a member of the Braman Christian Church, the National Bit Spur Saddle Collectors Association and the Braman Senior Citizens.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta of the home; a daughter, Jana Whitnah and her husband Vernon of Calumet, Oklahoma; a son, Charles Kaupke and wife Darlene of Stillwater, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Christina Kieffer and husband David of Richardson, Texas, Lee Whitnah of Calumet, Oklahoma, Clark Kaupke and fiancé Sara Barnard of Weatherford, Texas, and Marsha Martin and husband Chuck of Maysville, Oklahoma; five great grandchildren, Trevor Whitnah, Sam and Jason Kieffer, and Kinsey and Kaedyn Kaupke; one brother, Fred Kaupke and his wife Dovie of Drummond, Oklahoma; one sister, Eva McClanahan of Enid, Oklahoma; on sister-in-law, Heleln Long of Enid, Oklahoma; three nephews; four nieces; great nieces; great nephews; many cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruby Beckner; brothers-in-law, John Beckner, Winston Long, Don McClanahan and Gene Provolt; sister-in-law, Mary Provolt; and nephews, Jim Beckner and Carl Galen Long.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 9th in the Braman United Methodist Church in Braman with Charles Kaupke officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Del Norte Cemetery in Drummond, Oklahoma.

Honorary casketbearers will be Milo Day, Dale Wooderson, Aubrey Kelle and Ronnie Leatherman. Serving as casketbearers will be Craig Day, Lee Day, Lee Whitnah, Clark Kaupke, David Kieffer and Chuck Martin.

Memorials can be made in his honor to the Braman Volunteer Fire Department, Braman Cemetery Association or the Drummond Historical Society in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.