Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Beloved husband of the late Mary Brunette (nee: Vismara). Loving father of Thomas Brunette, David (Ruth) Brunette and Mary Kay (Michael) Gallo. Dear grandfather of Rachel Gallo, Jack (Paige) Gallo and Nicole Brunette. Dear great grandfather of Graham Gallo. Dear brother of Jane Ikemeier and the late Carl (surviving Judy) Brunette. Our dear uncle, great uncle, cousin and dear friend of Mary Ann Courisky.
Bob loved all sports and excelled in baseball and fast pitch softball. Played college football and baseball at Quincy University. He also loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and golf.
Bob began his teaching and coaching career in 1950 at St. Mary High School coaching football, soccer, basketball and track. In 1955 he moved to McBride High School for one year. In 1956 he went to Affton High School as Head Football and Track coach, where he had great success. His 1958 football team was undefeated. The football/track stadium is named after him, called the “Bob Brunette Sports Complex”.
Bob also was active in soccer, coaching 4 National Champion teams in 1980, 1981, 1986 and 1987.
Bob was the scholar/athlete at Quincy University in 1950 and also inducted into four Hall of Fames; St. Mary’s High School Hall of Fame in 1994, St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1996, Quincy University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997 and Metropolitan Football Coaches Association.
SERVICES: Funeral from Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Road Affton, Missouri 63123) on Monday, April 15, 10:30 a.m. to St. John Paul II Catholic Church (4980 Heege Road St. Louis, Missouri 63123) for 11:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Contributions to St. John Paul II Catholic Church appreciated. Visitation Sunday 4 – 8 p.m.
It was an honor and a joy to work with Bob at Affton School District. He was kind, funny, and a true gentleman. He came in everyday with a joke to brighten our days. He could be annoying at times, too. As he passed my desk, he would grab the pencil out of my hand and break it in half. I went through a lot of pencils! So many wonderful memories of a wonderful man!
Bob was a great story teller, and had so many great stories to tell from his amazing life. There will never be another like him.
I loved Coach.
Paulfaust@charter.net
I truly loved Coach and am so glad that Bill Thompson and me gave a tribute lunch for Coach at Sam’s
As a former AHS teacher and Roger as a student and football player under Coach, we celebrate a life well-lived! He had an influence on Roger’s life almost equal to his own father. It is a privilege to have served and played in his presence.
Linda VonderBruegge
He was the nicest man and a good role model for us.
Coach was a rare individuals. He cared greatly about the AHS students whether you were an Athlete or student, you were the same to him. He helped me out in a situation once and I’ll never forget him. I stopped by his table at Sam’s steak house and thanked him and told him what he meant to me. Once , apologized to his dinner mates . And walked back to my table. He just was THAT person that everyone respected.
Statue gentleman and supportive Affton administrative colleague
Coach Brunette, (He will always be coach) was simply the best!
Coach was a great guy. We almost lost him during one of our football games during our senior year in 1964. He had a heart attack at half time. We won the game and he was able to return later in the week. He will be missed by all of us who had the great honor and pleasure to play for him.
Sometimes we meet people during our lifetime that make a difference. For me, a high school kid in the early ‘60s, Coach Brunette was that difference. He taught me to win, to lose, to follow and to lead. I loved him like my own Dad, and we remained friends until his passing. During my last visit with him, we both laughed and cried with stories he remembered even better than me.
We all love you COACH, and thanks for the difference you have made! May God Bless you, and I know by now you already started working on the game plan to beat Lindbergh!!!
Bill Thompson
I was fortunate to not only have known and admired. coach Brunette as a student, but in another aspect of my life. Even aa a very young musician, I greatly admired his ability to positively influence all students, athlete or not, to give it all you got! . Coach hired me on several occasions to provide music for Affton students and other Affton events. He was always inspiring and such a pleasure to work for him.
He became very close to all of our family.
He was truly unique and influential to Affton students and so many others who knew him.
He was a great mentor and close friend of myy brother Bill. He will be truly missed and loved by all who knew this terrific coach, teacher, mentor and inspirational leader.
I was lucky to have played for coach at St. Mary’s in the 1950’s. He was a great coach and an even better person. Later on I was also able to play fast pitch softball with him for a few years. I was able to keep in touch over the years and was amazed how he could remember specific games and plays that happened years ago. He will be missed.
Rest in peace Coach!
Gerry Everding
It was an honor to play soccer for Busch Gardens under Bob Brunette, his brother Carl and Denny Long. All fantastic role models and classy individuals. Many people will miss Coach Brunette and we have all been made better by his guidance and example. I will never forget him.
On behalf of the St. Mary’s Alumni Association, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Bob’s family. With a legacy of leadership that is obvious from his career resume, we are proud that Bob’s origins reside on South Grand at Southside Catholic HS and the St. Mary’s community. We are also honored to have him included in our Hall of Fame. Our world is a better place because Bob was a member of our world.
Kindest regards……….Tim Goeke; President, St. Mary’s HS Alumni Association
I have great memories and respect for Coach who taught us as much about life as he did football. I too remember the half time incident, we were down to Clayton at our Homecoming. He inspired us to win with a strike to the blackboard, suffered an attack was rushed to the hospital, we went on to win the game without knowing his condition out of pure respect & concern for him. I had a chance several years ago to visit with him at a classmates birthday party. There were several other teammates there and he recited stories and events that occurred 50 years earlier with incredible detail. I have a picture from that moment that I am so grateful for, he was a mentor, motivator and friend that we all strived to please. He will forever be remembered and revered for his positive influence on our lives.