Born on December 29, 1934, in Parkville, Bob was the son of Edwin and Ethel (Leimkuhler) Gieseke. From an early age, he was drawn to farming, a passion that shaped his life’s work and brought him great joy.
After graduating from North Kansas City High School in 1952, Bob served in the U.S. Army stationed in California from 1955 until 1957. On September 8, 1957, he married Lillie Marie Calder and the couple remained together for more than 67 years.
Bob was never one to sit still. His passion for farming was evident on a daily basis as he farmed more than 1,200 acres in the Belgium Bottoms area in Riverside. He was first and foremost a wheat farmer and the thousands of straw bales his fields produced provided the seed for highways throughout the Kansas City area.
While farming was his passion, Bob was always looking for something else to be involved with. Bob and his wife Marie, daughter Joyce and son-in-law Dane owned and operated a golf driving range in the Belgium Bottoms for a number of years. The family farm also operated a laying chicken production facility in the 1970s.
Even in retirement, Bob’s love for farming continued and kept him active. He raised cattle in northern Platte County and could be frequently seen mowing his large acreage in suburban Kansas City.
Bob was also active in his community. He ran for public office and served as president of the Riverside-Quindaro Bend Levy District. He was instrumental in getting federal funding for the $87 million Riverside-Quindaro Bend L-385 Levee project that was completed in 2005, providing state-of-the-art flood protection to numerous businesses.
A 90-year member of the St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bob served in multiple leadership roles in the church and the adjacent St. Matthew's Cemetery in Riverside.
To those who knew him, Bob was a steady presence who was always willing to lend a hand to family and friends. He had a deep love for his family, his community, and the land he worked.
His legacy will live on in the family and friends he loved so dearly. Bob loved to eat, although he never weighed more than 175 pounds. He had a fondness for chocolate pie and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marie; three children, David (Carole) Gieseke of Ames, IA; Joyce (Dane) Hisel of Platte City; and Dan (Holly) Gieseke of Columbia; grandchildren Katie Gieseke, Kansas City; Lauren Gieseke, Denver, CO; Drew (Annie) Gieseke, Houston, TX; Steve (Heather) Gieseke, Brooklyn, NY; and Heath Hisel (Platte City); and one great-grandchild Zoe Gieseke, Houston; and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Edwin and John.
He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege to know him. A service will be held Monday, April 28, 2025. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church followed by a service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 12:15 PM at the East Slope Memorial Garden Cemetery in Riverside.
In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
