Robert Clark was born on December 11, 1939 and peacefully passed away on January 31, 2019 at the age of 79. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Freda Clark and survived by his wife Kathy, sons Craig Clark (Nancy) of Beloit, Bryan Clark (Julie) of Overland Park, Jeff Clark (Jennifer Woods) of Overland Park. Grandchildren, Taylor Clark, Riley Clark, Garrett Clark and Carsen Clark of Overland Park, Chelsea Nelan (Chad) of Denver, Tyrel Clark of Virginia Beach, Ashley Clark (Nick Coleman) of Atlanta and Kyle Clark of Dallas. Great Grandchildren, Kynslee Clark, Logan Levan, Ellie Coleman, Micah Nelan and Luke Nelan
Bob was born in Superior, Nebraska and raised on a farm near Formoso, Kansas. He was an only child and attended school at Formoso Grade and High School graduating in 1957. After graduation, he attended Emporia State University before returning home and marrying the love of his life, Kathy Intermill. They lived in Topeka, Kansas where he was employed at McClennan’s Department Store as Asst Store Manager. While in Topeka they started their family adding two boys Craig and Bryan. They moved to Concordia, Kansas where their 3rd son, Jeff was born. In 1964 they moved to the farm in Formoso, Kansas where Bob started a long career as a farmer/rancher, working closely with his father Cecil and his sons. The farm included both crops, cattle and a hog confinement operation. In 1999, they sold the farm and Bob started a second career selling livestock nutrition to ranchers across Kansas. This resulted in a move to Salina, Kansas where they lived until his death.
Bob had 3 passions in this life… Faith, Family and Friends.
Bob and Kathy were very active members of the United Methodist Church in Courtland, Kansas for many years and then upon moving to Salina, KS they joined the First Covenant Church family. Bob believed that you didn’t just live your faith in church, but every day in the way you loved, treated and interacted with others. He believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior, in life after death and was especially looking forward to seeing his parents again.
Bob loved spending as much time as he could with his family. Bob and Kathy could be found square dancing and playing cards with friends, traveling across the country and having friends over to the house, but their joy in life was raising their family. Bob took his 3 boys with him everywhere, even to the point where people would tease him that he had 3 ducks following him everywhere he went. Whether it was working cattle, harvesting crops, being at the sale barn, working in the field, refereeing football and basketball games or just going into town for morning coffee, Bob always had his boys with him. He was also known in the community as the only farmer whose farm dog was a St. Bernard. He lived by a code of integrity in everything that he did… do what’s right, keep your word and treat everyone with respect. He ensured that he passed those qualities to his boys and their families.
Sports was always a huge part of Bob’s life. He coached all his boys in little league baseball over the years and as school sports took over, he NEVER missed a game. Whether it was baseball, football, basketball, cross country or track, his boys always took priority over anything else. It was not uncommon for him to turn off the combine in the middle of harvest to attend games. On away games, it was common for Bob, Kathy and Ruth and Wyburn Berneking to leave the house at 2 pm so they could travel 60 miles to attend a game starting at 7 pm.
Vacations were taken every summer after harvest, camping in Colorado, fishing in Minnesota, hiking in Wyoming or just attending a Royals game in Kansas City. Bob bought a ski boat as well, just so he and Kathy could be around the kids spending summer days/nights on the lake.
Although Bob was born in Nebraska, don’t ever call him a NU Cornhusker, he was a KSU Wildcat through and through. While sending all 3 of his boys to Kansas State, Bob and Kathy attended games for years with friends and family. He was known to do a pretty good impression of Willie Wildcat doing KKKK-SSSS-UUUU Wildcats.
As soon as the boys got married and started having their own children, Bob and Kathy’s attention turned to spending as much time as they could with their grandchildren. Whether it was attending graduations, birthday parties, holiday get togethers, football, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, gymnastics, cheerleading, robotics, cross country and a Navy Seal graduation, they were always there for their grandkids. Even toward the end, the highlight of his life was when his kids, grandkids and great-grand kids came to see him.
Bob’s other passion was spending time with his friends. No matter how busy life was, there was always time to have coffee/tea with friends. Whether it was at the filling station, local café, Burger King, feed store, grain elevator, sale barn, kitchen table or a patio… he was always ready and willing to sit down and have a visit with friends. He loved having relatives from Colorado and Nebraska come to the farm or Salina and catch up. Bob had a LOT of friends because he “was” a good friend. He listened, respected various opinions, was there when they needed him, could keep a promise and a secret and they could trust him. But most of all, he had a great sense of humor, always had a joke to tell, loved to play practical jokes and was never lost for a quick comeback.
On June 3rd, 2018… Bob and Kathy celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with many family and friends spending 2 awesome days together in Salina as they celebrated a life together with so many wonderful memories.
Bob touched so many lives as a son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend. We will all miss him dearly, but we know that he is in a better place with family and friends that have gone before.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, 2:00 pm, February 9, 2019 at First Covenant Church, 2625 E. Magnolia Rd, Salina. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to “Salina Hospice” in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina, 67402.