Dr. Arthur K. Roos

Dr. Arthur K. Roos of Liberty, Missouri lived a remarkable 96 years before passing away peacefully on Tuesday, June 28th, 2022. Art was born in a log cabin in Mt. Vernon, Indiana on July 15th, 1925 to Arthur Christian and Elfrieda Morlock Roos. His family relocated to Wood River, Illinois to pursue better opportunities during the Depression, and it’s there that Art first met his future wife, Doris E. Davis. Shortly after graduating high school, Art was called in July of 1943 to serve his country in World War II at the age of seventeen.

Art served in the Army in the 106th Division, 422nd Regiment, Cannon Company as a Prime Mover Driver in the European Theater for no more than two months before being captured as a prisoner of war in the Battle of the Bulge along the Western Front in the Ardennes region on December 12th of 1944. He was interned at the Stalag IX-B prison camp in Bad Orb, Germany for three and a half months before being liberated on April 2nd of 1945. At only nineteen, he had stories to last him a lifetime. When thanked for his service, Art sometimes responded with a smile, “I’m just glad it’s over.”

Art was honorably discharged on Nov. 22nd, 1945. Art and Doris had written each other throughout the war and married on June 7th, 1946. They soon moved to Chicago so he could study at Northern Illinois College of Optometry. After graduation in 1950, the newly minted Dr. Roos worked in Ferguson, Missouri before buying a practice in a little town named Excelsior Springs, Mo. As Dr. Roos, Art served the community for 46 years through his optometry practice. Clients often said he fit them with the best pair of glasses they’d ever had.

Art and Doris would spend the next fifty years in the town they loved so dearly raising their family and engaging with their community. Art was involved in the Rotary Club and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church with his family. He and Doris moved to Liberty, Mo. in 2004 after retirement. Art spent his twilight years at the Oxford Grand Assisted Living facility in KCMO amongst friends with the support and love of his family.

Art enjoyed swimming, growing tomatoes, and watching the birds in his backyard—although he held less love for the squirrels. He was known for his genuinely kind, easy-going soul and great hair. He loved clever wordplay and making up witty puns on the fly. Even more so, Art loved hearing others tell jokes, and would respond with his trademark wheezy laugh to even the cheesiest quips. He will be dearly missed.

Art was preceded in death by wife Doris of Liberty, Mo. and parents Arthur C. and Elfrieda M. Roos of Wood River, Illinois. Art is survived by younger brother Bill Roos of Indianapolis; daughter Carol Cleek of Liberty, her husband Jim, and their children Brian and Julie; son Keith Roos of Excelsior Springs, his wife Judy, and their children Jason, Jinifer, and Kendra; and also, his great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 1st and will be followed by a celebration of Art’s life at 2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 1650 Rainbow Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo. Interment with military honors will follow in Glenridge Cemetery, B Hwy, Liberty, Mo.  The family suggests contributions to the First United Methodist Church, Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 1st and will be followed by a celebration of Art’s life at 2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 1650 Rainbow Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo. Interment with military honors will follow in Glenridge Cemetery, B Hwy, Liberty, Mo.  The family suggests contributions to the First United Methodist Church, Excelsior Springs, Mo.