Robert L. “Bob” Adams, 69, Leavenworth, KS passed away Sunday, July 6, 2008 at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.Bob was born June 25, 1939 in Leavenworth the son of Gilbert F. and Daisy (Arkebauer) Adams (LHS Class of 1926).
On November 20, 1960 at the First Baptist Church in Leavenworth he married Suzann Elliott (LHS Class of 1960).
A loving husband, devoted father and doting grandfather, Bob has been a pillar of the Leavenworth community all of his life.
For over 30 years he owned and operated Adams Standard Service, served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, was elected to the City Commission, the office of Mayor and 2 terms on the Leavenworth County Commission. He also served 23 years on the Cushing Hospital Board, 25 years with Kiwanis and over 30 years with the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Always a farm boy at heart he loved the simple things in life; a Royal’s game, gardening, bird-watching, bowling, and good conversation with good people. Most of all he loved his country music and dancing with his wife. He had as easy laugh and an easier smile and he was more than willing to share both.
He is much loved and will be missed.
He leaves his wife of 47 years, Suzann “Sue” Adams, his daughters, Lori Christoffersen and husband Mike, Karen Wilk and husband John.
His brother, James E. Adams (LHS Class of 1952) and wife Lena Schonherr Adams (LHS Class of 1955), grandchildren, Joshua, Jeffrey Christoffersen, Jeffrey’s fiancé Alex Kell, Ashley and Megan Roller and all the rest of an extended and loving family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John G. and William F. Adams (LHS Class of 1954).
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 P.M. Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at the Davis Funeral Chapel. Funeral Service will be held 10 A.M. Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the First Baptist Church 13th and Osage, Leavenworth, KS. The Rev. Dr. Randall A. Terrill will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Family suggest memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, or the American Lung Association.
Colleagues and friends remember Bob Adams
By Tim Linn, Leavenworth Times Staff Writer
“Bob was a great guy,” he said.
Moulden had known Adams nearly all of his life, he said. Moulden was born on June 24, the day before Adams. The two also stayed in the same nursery together in Cushing Memorial Hospital.
“I don’t know of any person I’ve known for longer,” he said.
Adams and Moulden also served on the Cushing Memorial Hospital Board of Directors together, with Adams serving for 23 years on the board. During Moulden and Adams’ tenure together on the board, Moulden said the board oversaw the construction of the Cushing Medical Plaza.
Moulden said Adams was a calm person who always kept his composure during the board meetings, even when the meetings themselves were unproductive.
“We always felt we got more done after the meetings than during them,” Moulden said.
Phil Urban, a member of the Leavenworth City Commission at the same time as Adams, said Adams was a kindred spirit.
“We both came from a small business background,” Urban said.
Adams owned and operated Adams Standard Service for more than 30 years. Urban said the fact that both he and Adams were small business owners helped them see eye-to-eye on many issues.
During his tenure, Urban said Adams and the rest of the city commission worked toward and helped finish a project to extend 20th Street from Spruce to Eisenhower.
Adams was also a supporter of the Leavenworth County Development Corporation and the Leavenworth County Port Authority.
Ed Chapman Jr. (LHS Class of 1950), a Leavenworth attorney who worked with Adams on LCDC and LCPA, said he knew Adams as an active member of both organizations, even bringing an oxygen tank with him to meetings as his health started to wane.
“He was extremely honest,” Chapman said. “When he told you something, you could rely on it.”
Chapman called Adams an “ideal politician.”
Moulden said he remembers Adams more simply.
“You couldn’t help but like Bob Adams,” he said.
I miss him, my Papa. (=
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