Bob spent his early years growing up in Leavenworth and served as an altar boy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Due to his mother’s illness, he resided with the Lewis Family in Leavenworth and then later lived with his best friend, Walter “Bud” Searcy, who were both raised by Uncle Carl Oliver in Beverly, Missouri. He graduated from Weston High School in 1949 and also attended Northwest Missouri University in Maryville, Missouri.
He was united in marriage to Donna Dean Harpst on December 24, 1949 in Savannah, Missouri and they were blessed with five children.
Bob worked as a Chemist in the Research Lab at Cook Paint & Varnish Company in Kansas City for 36 years, retiring in 1990. He also worked part-time at Beverly Lumber Company in Beverly and also built custom homes with his friend and partner, Robert “Bud” Humes.
He served on the Weston City Council and Weston Planning & Zoning Commission for several years, overseeing the construction of the first Weston Police Station, Water Plant, Fire Station and downtown City Park.
Bob was a member of the Weston Masonic Lodge #53 AF&AM where he received his 50 year membership pin and also the Moila Shrine Club in St. Joseph, where he was a member of the El Tigres group and enjoyed attending Shriner conventions throughout the Central Region.
He was instrumental in planning his 65th Class Reunion along with friends Margaret Rutherford Cockrill and Charlotte Vandrell Miller and more recent outings with friends and classmates at Weston Bend State Park and the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas. He also enjoyed attending the Missouri State Fair every year with his granddaughter, Samantha.
Bob is survived by his daughters Cindy (Rick) Hill of Beverly, Tammy (Ron) Sprinkle of Oviedo, Florida and sons Robert L. (Delores) Baker, Bill Baker and Brady (Margo) Baker of Weston. Also surviving are grandchildren Jason (Melissa) Hill, Justin (Whitney) Hill, Jared (Hayley) Hill, Cody Baker, Carrie Baker Spears, Kelly Baker, Jenifer (Mike) Sprinkle McCreight, Ashley Sprinkle and Samantha Jo Baker and great-grandchildren Cydney Spears, Caiden Spears, Clara Hill, Ella Hill and Waylon Hill.
He is also survived by brother-In-law Kenneth (Patty) Harpst and sister-in-law Louise (John) Jackson and several nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, sisters Elsie Elmerine Beauchamp, Laura Jeannette Mitchell; brother Carl Richard Baker and twin Edward Lee Baker.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 1:30-3 p.m. at Vaughn’s Funeral Home in Weston, followed by funeral service a 3 p.m., with burial at Graceland Cemetary in Weston.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Kansas City Hospice. Arrangements By: Vaughn Funeral Home, Weston, Mo., Ph. 816-386-2281. www.vaughnfuneralhomes.com
Together ♥♥♥ Forever
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Raymond (Jim) Harpst, Delbert Harpst, and Mary Kay Fulk.
Donna is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert E. “Bob” Baker and her children, Bobby (Delores) Baker, Bill Baker, and Brady (Margo) Baker of Weston, MO, Cindy (Rick) Hill of Beverly, MO, and Tammy (Ron) Sprinkle of Oviedo, FL; 11 grandchildren, Kelly Baker, Carrie Baker Spears, Jason Hill, Justin Hill, Jared Hill, Jenifer Sprinkle, Ashley Sprinkle, Cody Baker, and Samantha Jo Baker; and 3 great-grandchildren, Cydney Spears, Caiden Spears, and Clara Hill. Also surviving are siblings Louise Harpst (John) Jackson of Platte City, MO and Kenneth (Patty) Harpst of Weston, MO.
After raising her five children, Donna was employed at Missouri Public service, the KCI Marriott Hotel, and as a tour guide for several travel agencies. She had great pleasure travelling throughout the United States and Canada and making many long lasting friendships.
Donna was active in the Weston Garden Club, First Baptist Church of Weston, Ladies Sew-n-Sew Group, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Weston Historical Museum, Platte County Historical Society, American Red Cross Volunteers, and Save the Train Depot Committee. She was also a member of the Weston Eastern Star and received her 50–year pin. In 1971, she and Emma Margaret Frey were the first women elected to the West Platte School Board and served three terms. Donna was named 1974 Woman of the Year by the Weston Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was known by friends and neighbors for her gift and love of baking with favorites being cinnamon rolls, Italian cream cakes, brownie sheet cakes and especially her donuts at Halloween.
Visitation will be 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 25, 2013 at Vaughn Funeral Home in Weston. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 26th at the funeral home with burial at Graceland Cemetery in Weston.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Northland Hospice or the First Baptist Church of Weston. Arrangements By: Vaughn Funeral Home, Weston, Mo., Ph. 816-386-2281. www.vaughnfuneralhomes.com
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