Robert (Bob) Francis Brull, age 86, passed away on October 27, 2009 at Hays Good Samaritan Center. He was born in Ellis County on February 16, 1923 to Jacob and Anna (Befort) Brull and was the eleventh of fourteen children.

He was raised in Ellis County and graduated from Hays High School. Bob enlisted in the United States Navy on November 21, 1942. He made trips to the European Theater, Algeria, India and Egypt and also participated in the Normandy Invasion. He was authorized to wear the Bronze Star and Area Ribbons.

He married Lucy Ann Schulte on November 10, 1956 and had six children. He lived in Ellis County all of his life. He was employed by the Bureau of Reclamation, working on the building of the Cedar Bluff, Kirwin and Webster Irrigation dams; Ellis County as County Engineer; and Soil Conservation Service. He also farmed. Bob loved sports and the majestic plains of western Kansas, and above all, his family.

Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years and his children: Francine Hestermann (Tom), Hays; Steve Brull, Yukon, Oklahoma; Luciana Brull, Hays; Christel LeSuer (Dale), Topeka; Anne Stecklein (Chris), Sugarland, Texas; and Rob Brull (Sarah), Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Jeremy Coulter, Hays; Joshua Coulter, Stamford, Connecticut; Leslie LeSuer, Topeka; Michael Stecklein, Luke Stecklein, Catherine Stecklein, Martina Stecklein, all of Sugarland, Texas; Vincent Brull, and Stewart Brull both of Dallas, Texas; and a great grandchild, Sophia Mickelson-Coulter, Hays. Other survivors include two brothers, Elmer, Pearland, Texas and Bill, Salina, Kansas; two sisters, Martina, Las Vegas, NV and Philomine Lowe, Topeka.

He was preceded in death by six brothers: Ralph, Hays; Dick, Hollywood, FL; Gabe, Kansas City; John, Basehor, KS; Julius, Las Vegas, NV; Tony, Glendale, CA; and three sisters: Bea, Kansas City; Bernadine, Wichita; and Mary Ann, Las Vegas.

Celebration of the funeral mass will be 10:00 am on Friday, October 30 at St. Nicholas of Myra Church in Hays with Father Daryl Olmstead presiding. Military rites will be conducted by the VFW. Visitation is on Thursday starting at 4:00 pm with a parish vigil service at 7:00 pm, all at Hays Memorial Chapel. Memorials have been established at Thomas More Prep-Marian for the benefit of the music department, and at Saint Nicholas of Myra Church. Condolences and contributions may be sent in care of Hays Memorial Chapel.