Bob (Robert, Ziggy) Ziegler, 84

Bob (Robert, Ziggy) Ziegler died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Friday November 25, 2022.  He was 84 years old. 

Bob called St. Paul and New Prague, Minnesota his home.  He was born in St. Paul to Francis and Helen Ziegler.  He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School and Cretin High School where he served in the Reserved Officer’s Training Corp (ROTC) and played football and hockey.  He later attended St. Thomas College where he diligently pursued his passion for hockey.  A declared chemistry major was soon replaced with an accounting business degree as chemistry labs got in the way of hockey practice.  He played competitively with hopes of joining a professional team.  This dream took him to the northeast United States and Canada. Eventually, marriage and a family brought him home. 

He worked in regional sales and was a business owner later in life.  He followed his father into the dairy industry by selling container products.  He spent half his career with International Paper Company and later LiquiBox.  His knowledge of logistics within the beverage industry, his drive to manage all aspects of business, and their familiarity with the New Prague dairy community led him and his parents to purchase Tri County Beverage, Inc..   At Tri County Beverage, together with his wife and daughters, they served restaurants, bars and retail stores in Scott, Rice and Le Seuer counties. He was active within the Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association where he focused on legislative matters and the legalities of the industry.  His commitment to his customers often got him out of bed at midnight to deliver beer kegs or fix a tap line.  His happiest moments were spent sitting on the back of the beer truck while tending the tap wagons at local community festivals.

Ziggy was an avid golfer and sportsman.  He was a founding member of Indian Hills Country Club in Stillwater, Minnesota.  He played tournament golf throughout his life and in retirement he played on the Minnesota Senior Tour.   In St. Paul, he coached several men’s softball teams and played broomball.  New Prague offered similar community opportunities. He was a long standing member of the New Prague Golf Club where he worked part-time and played in Thursday league and with his Saturday morning group. While he no longer coached, he sponsored many men’s and women’s softball teams.  He was active in the Minnesota Waterfowl Association and other outdoor organizations.  He loved hunting, fishing, and scouring the woods for morel mushrooms.  He was blessed to share these experiences with countless friends. 

Bob was a strong personality with a brilliant mind.  He was adept at numbers, legal matters, and winning strategies in sports and business.   He valued his friends, adored his daughters, cherished his grandchildren and deeply loved his wife Sue.  At times, he was playful. A cherished family memory is his portrayal of Ronald McDonald during a game of charades while on a summer family trip.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Sue; his three daughters Shelly (Glen) Steinhoff, Stephanie Kivi, and Jenny (Eddie) Shimota; and eight grandchildren Cale and Corey Steinhoff; Luke, Marissa, and Evan Kivi; and Cody (Jenna), Bailey, and Ethan Shimota;  his brothers Frank Ziegler and Pete (Melanie) Ziegler;  and many nieces and nephews.

At his request, there will not be a public service.  Memorials can be sent to: 5727 Frontenac Circle, Lonsdale, MN  55046. 

The family is grateful to Dr. Marty Herrmann, his primary care physician and Mayo Clinic Hospice for their support.