Bobbie LeRoy Dye, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Holiday Resort Health and Rehabilitation, Salina.

Bobbie was born in Kingman, Kansas on April 19, 1934, to the late Dean Carson Wright and Albert Dye. He attended grade school in Kingman, Kansas and in Solomon, Kansas. He attended middle school in Wichita, Kansas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Boulder, Colorado, and Salina, Kansas and his Electrical Engineering Degree from the Kansas Technical Institute.

Bobbie married Elan Olson of Assaria, Kansas on Oct. 10, 1959. They had two daughters; Deanna Jo and Ronda Lee. Bobbie and Elan began their lives together in a small home in Salina, Kansas. A few years later, they moved to the family’s Assaria farm. In 1978, Bobbie and his family built and moved into a new country home. There, the Dye family raised horses, chickens, quail and many cats and dogs. Bobbie employed his love for animals to become an expert trainer of German shepherd hunting dogs.

Bobbie served as a private in the United States Army from 1952 to 1955. During his tour in Korea, he was a member of the 3rd Division, 15th Infantry Regiment and received a Purple Heart. In 2014, Bobbie traveled with other veterans to Washington, D.C. for the Kansas Honor Flight. This experience had a great effect on Bobbie. He was given an Honor Flight ball cap and wore it with great pride through his final days.

Bobbie retired from Philips Lighting of Salina, Kansas. He took great pride in his strong work ethic and life-long employment. At the age of six, Bobbie became a pinsetter. As a child, he worked as a paper boy and a shoeshine boy. As a young man, Bobbie worked at the Weber Elevator and Flour Mill of Salina, Kansas. He also was a housing sub-contractor and welder at Salina Manufactory. Later, he worked at Certain Teed Manufacturing of McPherson, Kansas and Westinghouse Lighting of Salina, Kansas.

During his life, Bobbie was a member of many community originations; he was a Mason for 41 years. He belonged to the Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite, as a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a member of the Oriental Band and the Shrine Pipe and Drum Band. He was a member of the local VFW, the Assaria Lions Club, and the Assaria Lutheran Church, where he and Elan were married.

Bobbie was a talented and devoted musician who played the bagpipes for 38 years. He was a founding member of the City of McPherson Pipe and Drum Band. One of Bobbie’s greatest joys was playing the bagpipes with his grandson, Ryan, who is a Scottish drummer. Bobbie was locally known as a piper who played for many funerals, weddings and other functions.

Bobbie is survived by his wife, Elan Dye, his daughter, Ronda Russell, his son-in-law, Randy Russell and his grandson, Ryan Russell, all of Assaria, Kansas.

Bobbie was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill Dye, Clarence Dye, and his cherished daughter, Deanna Dye Smith.

Bobbie was a devoted husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was well respected and will be greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Visitation will be Friday, March 13, from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Carlson – Geisendorf Funeral Home, with family present from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be at 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 14th, at Assaria Lutheran Church, Assaria, Kansas, with Pastor Dean Apel officiating. Burial will follow at Assaria Lutheran Cemetery, Assaria.

Donations may be made to Assaria Lutheran Church, in care of Carlson – Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina, Kansas 67401.

For more information or to send an online condolence, visit www.carlsonfh.net.