Robert "Bob" George Meyer

Robert "Bob" George Meyer Obituary

Robert "Bob" George Meyer, 88, of Gladstone Missouri, passed away February 1, 2024 at his home. 

Bob, son of Clarence and Bernice Meyer, was born on January 18, 1936, on the family farm near Balltown, Iowa. After graduating from 8^th grade, instead of attending high school, Bob worked on the farm. At age 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  Upon his military discharge, Bob enrolled at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and played varsity baseball.  He continued his education at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, earning his Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling.  His life changed forever on August 15, 1964 when he married Ruth Schneider in Holy Cross, Iowa.   Together for nearly 60 wonderful years, they were blessed with two sons, two daughters and eleven grandchildren. 

His professional career began at Regis High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as a teacher and coach of varsity baseball and freshman football. Bob then worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and in administration for the State of Iowa in Des Moines. This was followed by a 23 year career with the US Department of Labor as a Veterans Employment specialist and regional administrator in Kansas City, Missouri.    After an early retirement from the Federal Government, he transitioned to the private sector and for the next 30 years worked consecutively as a labor specialist for Kansas City Power & Light, a Sears Company representative in court, and as a legal aid for Wagoner Law Firm. In addition, Bob conducted over 100 employment mediations for the United States Postal Service, working until the age of 86.

Bob had a heart for helping others through volunteer work. He coached kids’ athletic teams, was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, a middle school Youth Friend, and was involved with teens in the Clay County Juvenile Court. He was a founding and active member of Holy Family Catholic Church, co-chairing the first parish fund drive for building the church.  He was a Eucharistic Minister both at church and at New Mark Care Center.   In recent years, he volunteered many hours at the Atkins-Johnson historic garden, Unbound, NorthCare Hospice, and for the Stonebrooke Homeowners’ Association.

Bob had a passion for baseball – the game itself and the lifelong lessons and friends it gave him throughout his years. Learning to hit with a stick and a rock on the farm, he started to play on small town teams as a teen, continued on to an Air Force team, and then semi-pro ball, usually as a catcher. Over the years, he was a player, a high school baseball coach, a scout for the Kansas City Royals, and an umpire. In 1991, Bob was inducted into the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame in Iowa. At age 76, Bob wrote a book to preserve the stories and history of small town baseball in northeast Iowa titled, “Small Town Baseball, Big League Dreams”.  All profits were donated to Unbound and Camp Courageous. The book is now in a permanent collection at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. 

Above all, Bob’s greatest love and pride was his family.  He developed a deep individual relationship with each of his kids, their spouses, and with each one of his 11 grandchildren. “Papa Bob” was actively engaged with his grandchildren, often playing football, baseball, ping pong, going fishing, giving encouragement and advice, and making his famous French toast.  He demonstrated the importance of a strong work ethic and through his shared wisdom, he inspired his family to do their personal best and persevere through the challenges of life. 

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ruth, their children: Mary (Paul) Willette, Joe (Pam) Meyer, Susan (Doug) Gebhardt, Thomas (Sherri) Meyer; their grandchildren: Spencer and Abigail Willette, Jackson and Carson Meyer, Katelyn, Emily, and William Gebhardt, Oliver, Oakley, Otis and Ana Meyer. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Kress, and many other dear relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger Meyer; niece, Anne Marie Meyer and nephew, Dean Kress. 

Visitation at 11:00am and Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon will be held on March 1, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 919 NE 96th St. in Kansas City, MO 64155.  Services will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/HolyFamilyKCMO/.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Holy Family Catholic Church (www.holyfamily.com), Unbound (www.unbound.org) or a charity of your choice.

You may share a message with the family or sign an online guest book via www.parklawnfunerals.com.  Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816)781-8228

In celebration of Bob’s life, we can follow his lifetime philosophy:

Always do more than expected.

Treat others as you want to be treated.

Do what is right and kind.

When you lose, be gracious. When you win, be humble.

Focus on the good in others.