Claire Robert "Bob" Brinck, 87 years, of Springfield, Illinois and formerly of Burlington, Iowa died at 9:45 am Saturday, July 2, 2011 at the Lewis Memorial Christian Village, Springfield, Illinois. He was born August 30, 1923 at West Point, Iowa the son of William and Helene (Wilson) Brinck. He married Pauline Margaret Holtkamp, the mother of his children. He attended St. Mary's Grade and High School in West Point and he graduated from the University of Iowa at Iowa City, Iowa with his BA and MA in 1947. He spent most of his life in Burlington. He worked as a Chemist at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, retiring in 1988. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II in the 70th Division. He was a member of the Holtz-Geers American Legion, Post 668. He was a former member of St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church, Burlington, Iowa and of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He loved ballroom dancing.

He is survived by three sons: Barton (wife Carla) Brinck, of Jacksonville, Florida; Jon L. Brinck, of Hiawatha, Iowa; Matthew (wife Teresa) Brinck, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; two daughters: Janet (husband Michael) Mark, of Springfield, Illinois; Kathleen (husband Mark) Montana, of Western Springs, Illinois; eight grandchildren, three great granddaughters, numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant daughter, Denise.

A Rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm at the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home. The family will meet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the funeral home, with a Christian Wake service being held at 7:00 pm Tuesday evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be a 10:30 am Wednesday July 6, 2011 at the St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church, West Point, Iowa, with Reverend Dennis Hoffman as Celebrant. Burial at the Calvary Cemetery, West Point, Iowa with full military rites. A memorial has been established for Calvary Cemetery or Friends of St. John's Hospital, contributions may be made at the church or the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home.