Robert J. "Bob" Bunting Sr.

Robert J. Bunting Sr.

February 14, 1949 – June 17, 2025

Robert J. Bunting Sr., 76, died June 17, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He was born February 14, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, to Walter F. and June A. (Klotz) Bunting.

Bob graduated from St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where he was a proud member of the basketball team. He earned an associate degree from Robert Morris College and later attended Illinois State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.

During his junior year at Illinois State, Bob was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War and fully anticipated leaving within weeks. Just before his scheduled departure, President Richard Nixon ended the military draft and signed the Paris Peace Accords, effectively ending U.S. involvement in the war — and keeping Bob stateside.

Throughout his youth and into adulthood, Bob’s Catholic faith was a steady and central part of his life. His early years reflected a blend of discipline, faith, and drive — traits that would later define his leadership in business and in life.

He married Barbara Zajac on July 5, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, and together they built a life rooted in family, business, and service to others. They welcomed their son, Robert J. Bunting Jr., on May 8, 1980, in Newton, Kansas, followed by their daughter, Molly Bunting (Claassen), on March 26, 1986.

After college, Bob began his career as a sales representative for the Goodyear Tire Company. In 1975, he returned to the family business and began working in sales at Bunting Magnetics — a company founded in 1959 in Chicago by his parents, Walter and June. The company relocated to Newton, Kansas, in 1979. Bob worked alongside his father for 18 years before becoming President and CEO in 1993.

For 30 years, Bob led the company through a period of significant growth and global expansion. Under his leadership, Bunting established operations in the United Kingdom, China, and Australia, along with additional facilities across North America. He helped diversify the company’s product lines and positioned Bunting as a trusted partner to manufacturers and producers around the world.

Though his business achievements were substantial, Bob was most proud of maintaining Bunting’s identity as a family-owned company and supporting the people who helped it thrive.

In addition to his corporate leadership, Bob was deeply committed to giving back. He and his family consistently supported charitable, educational, and civic initiatives across Newton and the surrounding region. Their longstanding support included the United Way, the Newton Public Library Foundation, Newton Unified School District 373, St. Mary School and the regional YMCA project. In recognition of their leadership and generosity, Bob and Barbara were honored as Philanthropists of the Year by the Newton Public Library Foundation and were also recognized by the Central Kansas Community Foundation.

Bob believed strongly in supporting Bunting employees and their families. Under his guidance, the company established the Walter F. and June A. Bunting Memorial Scholarship Fund to help the children of employees pursue higher education. Originally founded in Newton, the program was later extended to all Bunting employees across the globe. Whether through public gifts or quiet contributions, Bob’s commitment to others reflected his deep belief that strong companies are built by strong, supported people.

Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara, of the home; his daughter, Molly (Cody) Claassen; his son, Robert (Becky) Bunting Jr.; sisters Donna Jean (Mark) Draznik, Patricia Ann Jackowski, and June Marie (Rich) Meister. He is also survived by seven grandchildren — Finn, June, John, Harvey, Walter, and Annie Claassen, and Rhys John Bunting — as well as his brother- and sister-in-law, Dr. Edward J. Zajac and Dr. Deborah Majerus, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter F. and June A. Bunting.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Newton, with The Reverend Andrew Bergkamp officiating. A graveside service will follow, with lunch to be served at St. Mary Catholic School.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Petersen Funeral Home. A recitation of the Rosary will take place at 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, followed by visitation in the parish school. The casket will remain open at the church until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob’s name may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church (Newton, KS) or Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). Contributions may be left in care of Petersen Funeral Home, sent directly to the organizations, or made online.

Memorial Tribute

Remembering Bob Bunting

Bob Bunting left behind more than a legacy of leadership — he left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. These reflections capture the heart, humor, and guiding principles of a man who meant so much to his family, employees, and community.

A Man of Principles

Bob lived by a simple philosophy: “Show up.” If you go to college, go to class. If you have a job, show up on time. Whatever it is — just show up.

And to Bob, showing up right on time meant you were actually five minutes late.

He prided himself on being a salesman, never an order taker. Sales was his craft, and anyone who worked at Bunting knew it. He obsessed over the details, especially the numbers, even in his final days. His last two questions to Robert were written on paper, his voice too faint to speak:

“How are the numbers?”

“Where are we with China?”

He valued honesty above all, followed closely by loyalty, responsibility, and his steadfast Catholic faith. Attending 5:30 p.m. Saturday night Mass was a “given.” If you wanted to have dinner with the Buntings on a Saturday night, it would have to be after 5:30 Mass.

One current employee who has spent more than 20 years at Bunting shared:

“He was a tough boss to work for, but he was always like a caring father — he looked out for me and took care of me. He was someone I always looked up to. He reminded me that all my dedication and hard work was worth something valuable: his trust. That’s something I’ve never taken lightly.”

His Style and Character

Bob cared about how things looked. One former employee recalled that during his job interview, Bob commented on how shiny his shoes were. He got the job — and from that day forward, he had the shiniest shoes in the company.

He had a sharp wit and a reputation for frugality. He questioned the cost of everything — or, as his family lovingly put it, he was cheap!

And while his answers often started with a firm “No,” those who knew him understood his bark was far louder than his bite.

He loved to dress up. “Classiness” mattered to him. And while he didn’t love vacations (having traveled nearly two-thirds of the year for work at times), he did find peace in the quiet seasons spent at the Lake House in the Ozarks.

One thing Bob was especially adamant about was not going on a cruise. He always said, “I’ll do anything to get out of going on a cruise to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.”

Well, he succeeded — by 18 days.

Bob was an avid reader. He favored hardback books on business, biographies, and U.S. presidents.

Rooted in Family

Bob often spoke of his father, Walter. Their relationship was very business-like, but he admired and respected him deeply. After Walter’s passing, Bob worked alongside his mother, June, who served as Chairperson of the Board.

He was devoted to his own family. He loved them fiercely. And while he was tough at times, he showed his care in the way he provided for, protected, and stayed fully committed to those he loved.

As his health declined, he remained resilient. After six weeks in hospitals in Wichita and Rochester, Bob surprised everyone on Father’s Day. He went outside for the first time since Becky’s baby shower, Harvey’s First Communion, and a family photo session. That day, Bob smiled — and it was captured on camera.

To Barbara, that smile was a gift from God — a moment of grace and light at the end of a long, hard journey. It’s a memory the family will never forget.

They Showed Up

Bob was married to Bunting Magnetics as much as anyone could be married to a company — and Barbara knew it. She held everything else together while he devoted his days, nights, and years to building and preserving what his family had started.

But Barbara wasn’t just behind the scenes — she was the rock. Her strength, independence, and constant support made it possible for Bob to give so much of himself to his work. She managed the home, the family, and carried countless quiet responsibilities so Bob could lead with full focus. Without her, Bob’s story — and the story of Bunting — might not have looked the same. She showed up.

Bob Bunting put his heart into everything he did. In the end, it was his heart that gave out. But his impact will live on — through his family, his company, and the many people who are better because he showed up.