Robert Wright Morgan

Robert W. (Bob) Morgan of Overland Park, KS joined his beloved wife Nancy and their son Michael in eternal life on Sunday, December 6, 2020. He was born May 9, 1931 in Bristol, TN. He was an elder, Sunday school teacher, and lay minister at first Presbyterian Church of Olathe, KS for over 30 years.

Early in his youth, his family relocated to the Red Bank, NJ area. After high school he enjoyed working beside his brother Clyde learning carpentry and homebuilding. After joining the Air Force, he was assigned to Langley AFB in Hampton, VA where he met the love of his life, Nancy, on a Greyhound bus in 1952. With their love for each other, common faith in the Lord, and mutual desire to have a strong Christian family, they were joined in Holy Matrimony on March 21, 1953 and began their great adventure.

Bob traveled wherever the Air Force assigned him; daughters Cheryl and Bobbie and sons Mike and Doug expanded their family as they traveled the world, often with Nancy at home with the children. In addition to rising in the ranks to commander, he obtained dual masters in mathematics and electrical engineering and took the family on many memorable vacations, camping, boating, sightseeing, and exploring.

His professional accomplishments offered him many opportunities across the globe, traveling to 71 countries. It was a priority to him that his family live off-base to be immersed in local communities and cultures in Turkey, Thailand, Germany/Europe, and across the U.S.

During his remote assignments and duties he also took on the challenge of being an educator - teaching mathematics and electrical engineering to military and civilian personnel. Following a lengthy tour of duty in Europe and the Middle East he was stationed at the Pentagon working on the first satellite operations (AFTAC) for the Department of Defense. While working with AFTAC he then moved the operation and the family to Patrick AFB in Florida. From there to SE Asia on behalf of JUSMAG (Joint United States Military Aadvisory Group) where he was commander of Don Muang Strategic Air Command in Bangkok, and the Udorn and Ubon Royal Thai Air Force bases in Thailand in 1972. While in Thailand, during the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon, he orchestrated the evacuation of hundreds of mothers, children, and orphans. He also briefly served as interim Ambassador to Thailand.

Due to his stellar performance, he was offered an appointment to the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, but instead he chose to return stateside by expanding the family to include Ouvieng Voravong and Veng Vollavanh. In 1976, Bob became the last active commander of Richards-Gebaur AFB in Belton, MO while also fulfilling his lifelong dream of being a “gentleman farmer” on 40 acres near Olathe, KS. He also began pursuing his doctorate in mathematics at UMKC and KU.

His hobbies and interests grew over the years to include oil painting, self-publishing a book of poetry, studying scripture, teaching Sunday school, physical fitness, nutrition, and genealogical research.

The family later increased to include life partners; Patty Joseph (Mike), Phil Dhyne (Bobbie), Gerald Ellyson (Doug), Jennifer Dunbar (Ouvieng) and Liz Hite (Veng), their children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his 80-year friendship with Walt Stearns, all who have had the good fortune to know him will miss his kind heart, gentle spirit, deep faith, quick wit, laughter, smiles, and generous, loving ways. Visitation will be Thursday, December 10, 2020 and burial will be Saturday, December 12, 2020 at McGilley & Frye Funeral Home for immediate family. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.