Floyd Edward Kaiser

A Celebration of Floyd’s Life will be held Thursday, August 27, at 4:00 p.m. at Campus Lutheran Church in Columbia, MO, followed by a time to informally gather to share hugs and stories. Light snacks will be provided.

Floyd was born September 5, 1943 to Erhardt and Martha Kaiser of Ionia, MO. He was raised on the family farm and was confirmed at St John's Lutheran Church, Cole Camp, MO on Palm Sunday, 1957. He graduated from Green Ridge High School in 1961. Floyd moved to Columbia, MO to attend the University of Missouri, and began attending Campus Lutheran Church, where he was an active member until his death. He married Wanda Behymer June 13, 1965 and had one daughter. He married Millie Neill October 12, 1974. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last Fall during their annual getaway to Hilton Head, NC.

Floyd graduated from MU with a BS/MS degree in agricultural chemistry in 1968. He became the first employee of Analytical Biochemical Laboratories in 1969 and worked there for nearly 42 years, retiring in January of 2011. He had a number of supervisory and managerial roles at ABC during his long career, culminating in senior contracts specialist.

Floyd was an active, influential, and loyal member of Campus Lutheran Church. His faith was deep, unwavering, and a source of quiet strength. Floyd served variously as elder, treasurer, Bible study leader, counter, and always as a cornerstone of the bass section of the church choir. He played racquetball 2-3 times a week for his entire adult life, and he loved to “chase the little white ball” through innumerable rounds of golf. He was an avid gardener, and was especially fond of growing tomatoes. He loved to work outside, landscaping his home, and cultivated a spectacular display of irises.

Floyd was a diehard MU sports fan, attending hundreds of basketball and football games during his life. He was a voracious reader and, especially in retirement, found great joy in cooking, saying it was just like a chemistry experiment, only he had more flexibility in the protocols. Floyd was the less visible partner in Appletree Quilting, except when he brought his famous broccoli salad and beef brisket to quilting events and workshops.

Floyd is survived by his wife, Millie Kaiser; daughter and son-in-law Whitney and Jerry Neufeld-Kaiser of Seattle, WA; sister Fran Durow of Horsham, Victoria, Australia; brother and sister-in-law Lyman and Carolyn Kaiser of Colorado Springs, CO; brother-in-law Charlie Neill; sister-in-law Evelyn Rothermich; and niece Wendy Rothermich.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be sent to Campus Lutheran Church, 304 S College Avenue Columbia, MO 65201; 573-442-5942; [email protected]