He attended Radium School from kindergarten through his high school graduation. He played a number of sports including football and basketball but music was always his first love. He attended the Radium United Methodist Church with his family. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in music education.
Bob led the church choirs at Benton and Waco United Methodist churches for many years. He taught band at Delphos, Towanda, Wichita Truesdell Jr. High, Wichita East High, and Wichita Mead Jr. High before going into ministry full time. He served several United Methodist churches in the Wichita area: Greenwood, Furley, Mount Hope, and Asbury. He was a lifelong student of the Bible and took part in several Bible study groups over many decades.
Spending time with the Lord was his daily practice until his health didn't allow it. Bob had 4 children, Michael (Teresa) Gleason, Janelle (Robin) Ziegenfuss, Michelle (Mike) Roesch and Melanie Ann Gleason. Thirteen grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Mable (Broadbooks) Gleason; his siblings, Verne (Bud) Gleason, Vergene (Gleason) Kugler, and Donald Gleason; his beloved wife of 58 years, Charlotte; his infant daughter, Melanie; his grandson-in-law, Brandon Castleberry; and his great-grandson, Karson Sanders. Bob went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2025.
A memorial service for Bobby will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Asbury Church, 2801 W. 15th St. N., Wichita, KS 67203. A graveside service will occur Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Larned Cemetery, 417 Broadway St., Larned, KS 67550.
Serving as Honorary Bearers are: Ian Gleason, Evan Gleason, Cameron Ziegenfuss, Adam Gleason, Tanner Follis, Trent Follis, Brian Mahnke, Kevin Rodriguez, Randy Williams and John Sanders.
Contributions in Bobby's memory may be made to Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, 3450 N. Rock Rd. Bldg 200, Suite 213, Wichita, Kansas 67226.
