He lived an extraordinary life. His example taught us that any job worth doing was worth doing right. He showed us that unwavering effort and pushing through challenges to reach a goal would lead to success.
Bob was born in Independence, Missouri on June 27, 1930. He graduated from Central High School in Kansas City in 1948 and received an Associate in Arts degree from Graceland College in 1950. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant and served in the F-94C aircraft with the 96th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, stationed in New Castle, Delaware. While there he met his wife to be, Elsa Holl. They were married at the Valley Forge Chapel in April, 1954. Their marriage would span more than seven decades.
Following active duty in the Air Force, Bob and Elsa moved to Kansas City. He worked at the Paniplus Company while attending night school at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, obtaining a BS degree in Chemistry in 1959. During his career at Paniplus, Breddo Food Products and, finally, American Ingredients Company, Bob developed numerous products that received U.S. patents. He retired the Vice President and Technical Manager in 1997.
Bob took up woodworking after retirement and, over time, proved to be quite a craftsman. Many of his children and grandchildren have the beautiful furniture he made for them with loving care. He enjoyed golf and was gifted the trip of a lifetime by his son Will at the age of 78 to play at the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. He was an avid life-long gardener. His potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers were shared among many of his friends, neighbors, and family. He and Elsa were active members of the Valley View United Methodist church for more than 60 years, mentoring young adults and providing communion for those unable to travel to church. Bob’s service to his friends, family and church family was steady and done without expectation of praise.
He is survived by his wife Elsa, his five children: John (Karen) Morgan of Georgetown, Texas, Richard (Cyndy) Moneymaker of Loveland, Colorado, Will (Nancy) Moneymaker of DeSoto, Kansas, Kathy (Dan) Robertson of Raymore, Missouri, Ann (Abby) Torres of Lawrence, Kansas; ten grandchildren: Laura (Tom) Gibson, Matthew (Mica) Morgan, Alan Moneymaker, Kate (Shaer) Moneymaker, Sarah (Nathan) Pettit, Jessica (Wyatt) Sosey, Daniel Moneymaker, Brian Robertson, Austin (Allyx) Robertson, Max (Katy) Simonian; and 12 great-grandchildren: Dana, Wade, Owen, Rosie, Sophie, Zeke, Sawyer, Bri, Cameron, Dallas, Brooks and Ezra.
