Robert Lee Elrod Sr.

Robert "Bob" Lee Elrod Sr. was born on August 28, 1928, in Parsons, Kansas, to the late Edwin Courtney and ElFreda May (Green) Elrod. He passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 96 in Clearwater, Kansas.

Bob graduated from Wichita East High School in 1949 and soon began working at Boeing Aircraft as a small engine mechanic. It was at Boeing that he met Venita, whose Cushman had broken down while delivering mail within the facility. This chance encounter led to love, and after six months, they married on November 24, 1951, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Together, they had three children: Becky, Sandy, and Rob.

After his time at Boeing, Bob worked at the local Harley-Davidson dealership in the Delano district of Wichita. While he loved working on engines, perhaps the best part was when Venita and their oldest daughter Becky joined him for test rides, with little Becky nestled between them. He gained great experience here but decided to make a change and in February 1957, he began his tenure as a Wichita firefighter, where he served until January 1975.

After retiring, Bob took on the role of a rural mail carrier, often traveling to Western Kansas, Emporia, and other locations. Despite often being away during the week, he never lacked in his duties and Venita, once they moved to a cabin on Fall River Lake, where they looked forward to and enjoyed family time, especially when playing cards. It wasn’t long when during his absences for work, Venita became an expert fisherman too, later earning the title "The Queen of the Crappie." Despite his retirement, he remained connected to the fire department when he was appointed as the new fire chief and later mayor of their little town and even as of late, he proudly held the title of the oldest living retired firefighter.

Bob dedicated his time to the Masonic Harmony Lodge #94, was an avid motorcycle racer when young, a steadfast NASCAR fanatic (especially for Dale Earnhardt), and above all, a passionate fisherman. So much so, the family vacationed in various places where he could fish, including Michigan, the Gulf, Big Bend Country in Texas, St. Louis, Minnesota (where Venita's sister lived), and the Black Hills where they took in the scenery of Mount Rushmore.

His children remember him as strict when necessary but also kind and loving, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There were always cards with money for birthdays and they were present for graduations and important events too and if you asked the grands, you might hear, “Everyone loved Grandpa.”

After moving into Fall River proper, Bob continued working on small engines, helping neighbors with their lawn mowers and motorcycles and in his down time, he enjoyed movie nights with his bride, with a stash of Cheez-Its and a cold Pepsi by his side. The treats continued as they watched black-and-white TV shows such as "Gunsmoke," "The Rifleman," or anything with John Wayne, Tom Selleck and Robert Kitchen. Traditions kept even when they moved to Mulvane, Kansas, in 2017, bringing them closer to their daughter Becky. Life may have slowed down a bit, but they rejoiced every day in their 73 years of marriage.

Bob was a fun-loving man who was always there and will forever be remembered. In closing, as he used to say, "See you later, babe!"

Those he now rejoices with are his parents; son, Robert "Rob" Elrod Jr.; and his son-in-law, Michael Jansen. Those left to honor his memory are his daughters, Rebecca (Richard) Elrod Ferguson and Sandra Elrod Jansen; grandchildren, Sean (Samantha) Ferguson, Ryan (Melody) Ferguson, Joshua (Erin) Jansen, and Jessica (Matt) Rikoff; great-grandchildren, Cora Jansen, Caleb Jansen, Aimee Foreman, Addison Foreman, Aidan Foreman, and Abbigail Foreman; and his beloved fur babies over the years, Smokey, Susie, Ralph, and Sparky.

A visitation for Robert will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and a funeral service will occur Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM, with a graveside service will follow, Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in the Garden of the Lord's Prayer, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209.