Robert "Bumper" Hogge III  was called  home to Jesus on May 8, 2020.  Bumper was born May 19,1982 in Hinton, West Virginia the son of Robert " Bobby " Hogge II and the late, Linda Lou Hogge.

Our Bumper was welcomed into the world by his late pater nal Grandmother Mary Ruth Hogge, who was blessed to be the on-duty OB nurse for his delivery.  Their bond was cemented in that moment and never wavered up to her passing. We're sure she was waiting to hold him again.

The nickname "Bumper" was from the adorable sidekick on the cartoon Gilligan's Planet. It was lovingly and proudly bestowed on him by his dad at just a few months old, and it remained with him his entire life. So much so, that when someone called him Robert or Rob, we were confused as to who they were talking about. He was his dad's sidekick, our Bump, everyone's Bumper.

He spent his childhood in Fort Wayne Indiana with his two siblings Michael and Angel, many cousins, and aunts and uncles.  He was very close to his Grandpa and Grandma Hogge.  We all loved and adored him, but he was his grandparents joy.

Bumper could ride a bike before he was tall enough to get on it.  He would lean bikes up against objects, climb up and take off.  When he ran out of road he would dive off, the bike going one way while he went the other.  Then he'd pick it up and start over.

Whether it was a natural talent for understanding mechanical things , or just the love of spending time with his Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle Brian, as a child he was typically with one or all of them as they worked on all sorts of projects. All on his own, Bumper was rebuilding carburetors and changing tires by age 10. He loved tools of all kinds, once giving himself a haircut with a pair of tinsnips .  That cowlick lasted through his teens.

His love of all things mechanical extended from bicycles, to dirt bikes, to cars.  Bump was always working on something and inherited his maternal uncle Jackie's ability to wheel and deal.  You never knew what he was going to bring home.

Bumper had a way of telling stories that brought you along for the ride, a gift he inherited from his Dad.  He lent every story a light and energy that kept you waiting for the next part. He was charming and always entertaining.

Losing his mom as a young man was difficult.  Bump deeply mourned her loss and that of his beloved grandparents.

His two sons, Bailey and Harley carry on here with the very best pieces of Bumper.  His kind heart, sense of humor, and infectious smile.  They are loved.

He was preceded in death by his mother Linda Lou Hogge, maternal grandparents Wilmer "Pogo" and Lovatta Graham and his paternal grandparents Robert " Bob" and Mary Ruth Pack Hogge, as well as his maternal uncles Benny "Lucky" (Floramae) Lemon, and Scott (Karen) Lemon.

Those left to mourn the loss of his light are his sons Bailey R . Hogge of McGrady NC, Harley D. Hogge of Fort Wayne IN, dad Robert (Yvonne Humphreys) Hogge II of McGrady NC, big brother Michael "Mikey" Graham (Kenny Ray Davis) of Statesville NC, his dear sister Angel (Jasper) Rupard of Statesville NC, nephews Austin Rivenbark, Landon Rupard, nieces Paige Rupard and Raylee Graham all of Statesville NC, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins to remember the joy and love he brought.

The family will receive friends to remember Bumpers' life on Friday May 15th, 2020 at Pivont Funeral Home in Hinton from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.