He is survived by his wife, Gloria, daughter Debbie Saladino (Steve), son Jack Williams (Robin), and sisters Laura Groff and Maxine Stacy of Parsons, Kansas. Son Robert, Jr., died in 2016. Robert had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and joke around. He was a loving husband, father and Papa as well as a friend to many.
Robert was born and raised in Cherryvale, Kansas. In 1955 he moved to Kansas City, Missouri after high school graduation and joined the U.S. Air Force reserves where he also served active duty at Richards Gebaur Air Force Base during the Cuban Crisis. He began working at Trans World Airlines at the downtown airport as a baggage handler and then ticket agent where he earned the nickname “Stretch” from his 6’4” frame that was able to stretch over the ticket counter and pick up travelers’ bags. Then after a blind date and subsequent courtship with Gloria Brown, they married in 1959 and have been together for 63 years. Robert also worked as a tax preparer for H&R Block in various locations for several decades since the early 1960’s. His TWA career spanned 41 years, the majority of which was in Purchasing at the overhaul base in Kansas City north. In 1969, he was contracted by Saudi Arabian Airlines to assist with training and running their airline purchasing department so the family moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for several years. It was a great adventure and allowed them to see other interesting parts of the world.
The family is grateful for the care given to Robert since 2005 by Dr. Robert Pluenneke, University of Kansas Cancer Center, as well as Tiffany Springs Assisted Living and Tiffany Springs Rehabilitation personnel this past year. Also, thank you to Ascend Hospice for Robert’s end of life care.
The family will have a private inurnment service on Monday, August 22 at White Chapel Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Housel family.
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