Donald Elmer Umbach

DONALD E UMBACH Our Father, Don Umbach, left for Heaven Friday, April 15, 2016, at home in Lee’s Summit, MO surrounded by family. He was born October 10, 1928, in Evansville, Indiana to Elmer and Hilda Umbach. Dad was raised with two sisters and graduated from Central High School in 1945. He began a career as a Journeyman Tool and Dye maker with International Harvesters. Later he worked for Burroughs Corporation. Dad was a former Naval Reservist. Dad met Mom on a blind date and, as love would prevail, they married February 2, 1952. While bowling one night in Evansville, a friend introduced Dad and Mom to McDonald’s. After 3 of their 4 daughters were born in Indiana, they embarked on their new McDonald’s adventure and moved to Independence, MO, where their youngest daughter was born and where they purchased their first restaurant #438 on September 11, 1962. Dad will be remembered as a true pioneer in the KC area as he set up and chaired the first purchasing program with the purchase of rail cars of potatoes from a grower in Idaho, storing them in a public warehouse on borrowed money on behalf of the 5 operators in KC at the time. He also negotiated pricing for buckets of pickles and cans of ketchup. With a simple handshake, he joined Mama Earp and later sons Jim and Don to purchase meat and establish the distribution program to eventually supply many products to all Owner/Operators in the Kansas City area. He was instrumental in the development of the combination single bakery and total distribution center being build on the same property physically connected for economic reasons, those being Fresh Start Bakery and Earp Distribution Center. He chaired a committee of owners in the St. Louis Region and the KC Region that monitored the operation and pricing of the Bakery in KC, the Dairy in St. Louis and trucking company that hauled buns and dairy back and forth. Dad went on to serve as the president of the local co-op for many years, was a member of the National Operators Advisory Board, chaired the National Purchasing Committee, chaired product development, board member of the McDonald’s Owner/Operators Insurance Company in the State of Missouri for Workman’s Comp and Chairman of National OPNAD. He was very well respected in the community as he served on several bank boards as well. His philosophy was quite simple “the highest quality product at competitive prices.” Always strong in faith, our parents became active leaders in our new church home. Their genuine interest in guiding teens led them to their leadership role in charge of the “Youth Group.” Their ability to relate to teens revived the active number of members in the Youth Group Program. It was not unusual for a teen member to show up at our house to talk to Mom and Dad. They always made sure our home was open to our friends as well. Their dedication to children extended to the Children’s Advocacy Service Center which operated The Children’s Place, the only one of its kind in the US; a nursery for abused children where he served as a Board Member. In addition, Don helped start the first Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City in 1974 by personally guaranteeing the note to begin construction. His work as a Board Member for Ronald McDonald House Charities also helped establish this leading charity in Kansas City. Dad enjoyed playing golf, playing bridge with Mom in clubs, traveling the world and family vacations that are memories we will cherish forever. Mom and Dad enjoyed 58 years together before Mom left for Heaven. Celebrating his life include daughter Joan Crunk and husband Jon, daughter Karen Resinger, daughter Julie Lamb and husband Don, daughter Kris Simpson and husband Greg. Dad proudly enjoyed his 11 grandchildren; Jacob, Jaclyn and husband Jon, Leo, Jeremy, Nathan, Sydney, Kailey, Sterling, Addison, Blake and Lindsay and his great-grandchildren Peyton, Trenton, Ava, Donn, Caiden and Ciaran. Always endearing to Dad’s heart was the love of his Mother, Hilda, Father Elmer, his sister Virginia (in heaven) and his sister Ruth. Our family would like to thank all of Mom and Dad’s and our wonderful friends for their loving support, Crossroads Hospice and Visiting Nurse Association who took such good care of Dad. While our hearts are heavy at this time, we are comforted in faith and feel honored that we were blessed with the gift of the best Father in the world. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 21 from 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. On Friday we will hold visitation again at 1:00p.m. with the funeral service at 2:00p.m., both at Timothy Lutheran Church located at 425 N.W. R.D. Mize Road, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Graveside service immediately following at Floral Hills East, 25203 E. 50 Highway in Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be directed to The Ronald McDonald House 2502 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 (816)842-8321 or Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208 (800)272-3900. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be offered at www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO, (816) 353-1218.