Robert Rhys Ziemer

Bob was born on July 30, 1922 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Vernon and Carrie Ziemer. His family later moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa where he graduated from high school. He has fond memories of his life in Oskaloosa where he played the saxophone in the marching band and worked in a drug store.

“The Music Man” remained his favorite musical. In 1944 he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

After graduation, Bob moved to Cleveland, OH where he was employed by the US government at the Lewis Research Center, a division of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA). There he met Erma Papp. They were married in November 1945 and had two children, Linda and Robert. In 1959 after the launch of Sputnik and NACA became NASA, the family moved to Maryland where Bob worked at the Goddard Space Flight Center. He was project manager for a large unmanned satellite, the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, launched in the mid 1960s. Bob retired 10 years later.

Bob took great pleasure in many hobbies including researching and writing the family genealogy, crafting fine wood furniture, making model railroad set ups, doing home improvements, reading and collecting books from histories to mysteries, helping his family members with projects, and painting miniature lead soldiers. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Civil War Round Table and the Churchill Society. He also enjoyed traveling overseas to the British Isles. In 1987, Bob and Erma moved to Leawood, Kansas where their daughter and her family lived. Erma passed away in 1992.

In 2009, Bob married Ruth Ann Pope formerly of Kansas City and they enjoyed an all too short time together highlighted by attending the KC Symphony, KC Jazz Orchestra, and other musical performances.

Services will be held at Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home at 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation begins at 6:00 p.m., with memorial at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27. Donations to the KC Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64145 would benefit many families and be greatly appreciated.

Bob is survived by his wife Ruth Ann, his daughter Linda (James) Hamilton, his son Robert (Margaret) and five adult grandchildren: Rhys (Michelle) Ziemer, Emilie (Josh) Polster, Elizabeth Hamilton (Matthew Talbert), Andrew Hamilton, and Peter Hamilton. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, and sister Janet A. Rosenberger. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.