Robert "Bobby" Joel Lange

ROBERT JOEL “BOBBY” LANGE , 81, of Bellville, Texas, passed away Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Houston.

He was born December 7, 1939, in Navasota, Texas, the son of Clarence Robert “CR” and Edna Ruth (Wallingford) Lange. Bobby grew up in Cochran, Texas and attended Cochran Elementary and graduated from Bellville High School in 1958.  He then attended the University of Texas in Austin and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.  He was a lifelong supporter of the Texas Longhorns and held season football tickets.  He was always happy to share these tickets with others he felt would enjoy the games.

Bobby was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Ottmer on August 21, 1960, at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville, Texas, where he remained a devout member. He served on the church council and numerous other committees. He found great joy in supporting the youth at the church in various ways including purchasing the candy for the Sunday School Easter egg hunt and making bags to give out to children at the Christmas Eve services.

He and Barbara owned and operated Lange’s Food Markets #1 and #2 in Bellville for almost 40 years and were well-known by many customers and friends.  If you were in town in the early morning hours, you would find Bobby at the store making coffee in his famous white apron for the usual morning crew and greeting all with a smile. He considered all employees to be a part of the Lange family.

He loved his community and served it as a member of the Bellville Lions Club, First National Bank Board of Directors, Bellville Hospital Foundation, and as a Little League Coach.  He enjoyed bowling on the Pearl Beer team for many years.

Bobby’s love was his family. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and was involved with all their activities from recitals to sporting events.  He was always so proud of their accomplishments.  He also enjoyed cooking, mowing the lawn, washing the cars, and traveling to the deer lease with friends and family, not so much to hunt, but to cook and enjoy the camaraderie. He enjoyed canning pickles and giving them away or donating them to the various fundraisers in town. He also enjoyed buying Fredericksburg peaches and delivering them to many friends. Also, so many people were recipients of his special steaks and enjoyed eating his wonderful banana pudding.

He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Barbara Lange of Bellville; children:  Gregg Robert Lange and his wife, Sharon, and Glenn Alan Lange and his wife, Stacey, all of Bellville; grandchildren:  Merritt Manuel and her husband, Chris, Marci Morales and her husband, Tyler, all of Austin, Colby Lange, and Carly Lange, of Bellville; great grandchildren: Hallie Manuel and Micah Manuel, of Austin; sister: Carolyn Golan and her husband, Roy, of Bellville; sister-in-law: Frances Schiller and her husband, Harvey, of Bellville; brother-in-law: Robert Luhn and his wife, Vernice, of Bellville; and numerous other relatives and dear friends.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence “CR” and Edna Ruth Lange, sister, Sandra Luhn, and father- and mother-in-law, Emil and Etta Mae Ottmer.


Honorary Pallbearers are all of Lange’s former employees.

Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to:

St. John Lutheran Church
520 North Holland
Bellville, Texas 77418,


Bellville hospital Foundation
44 North Cummings
Bellville, Texas 77418,


Bellville Lions Club
PO Box 1011
Bellville, Texas 77418