Bob Roberts Obituary

Bob Roberts, 83, of Ottawa, died peacefully with his wife and children at his side, on Sunday night, April 29, 2012. Funeral services will be held, 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Faith Lutheran Church, Ottawa. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 Wednesday evening at the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home. Bob was born to Lanie Roberts and Lucy (Jobst) Roberts on February 15, 1929 in Vesta, Nebraska. After living there and in Crab Orchard, NE. he moved, with his family, to Tecumseh, NE where he graduated from high school with the class of 1947. In high school Bob was in operettas and many musical events, usually as a soloist. He attended college in Nebraska at Peru State and then at San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, graduating with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree. From 1952 to 1956 Bob served his country in the United States Navy, as a medic and an x-ray technician on a hospital ship and aircraft carrier. Coming from Dorr Funeral Home in Falls City, NE, Bob moved to Ottawa in May of 1961. He was employed at Lamb Funeral Home until he purchased the business in 1964. In 1971 he purchased the Lamb Funeral Home in Baldwin City and later the Greenwood Funeral Home in Overbrook. He also later purchased and closed Joe Towner Funeral Chapel. Bob was honored with an appointment by Governor Mike Hayden to the Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts in the 1990s. Bob frequently attended the National Funeral Directors Associations conventions and sang in their choir. He was a former president of District 2 of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association and was just recently recognized for his 50 years of service. He was affiliated with the National Selected Morticians. Bob was also very proud to have helped launch many young funeral directors into their careers. Bob was very honored to be Grand Marshall in the Ottawa Christmas parade. He was a 50 year member of the Kiwanis Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901, and Warren C. Black American Legion Post #60, all of Ottawa. Church held an important part of Bobs life. He was an original member of the Faith Lutheran Church of Ottawa. He has sung in the choir since the 1960s, attended Bible classes, Mens Saturday morning breakfast and provided financial support for projects within the church. On June 4, 1950, Bob married Elaine Ruth Beethe in Elk Creek, NE. They were proud partners in life for over 62 years. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Beethe Roberts, of their home; daughter, Mary Lyn Barnett, of Wamego; son, John Roberts and his wife, Tara, of Manhattan; two grandchildren, Dylan and Tessa Roberts of Manhattan; brother, Les Roberts, and his wife, Sue, of Lincoln, NE.; many nieces, nephews and friends. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Faith Lutheran Church or Ransom Memorial Hospital, c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.