Mr. Donald R. Ludy

Donald R. (Bob) Ludy was born March 23rd, 1940, and passed away with family by his side on March 21st, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Ludy and Wilmadell Reaka; brother, Gerald Ludy, and the love of his life, his wife Nancy. He is survived by sister Kim Ashurst (Rick) and his three children, Michael Ludy (Linda), Christina Liesveld (Jay), Vicki Kestermont (Tim); In addition to his seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Bob grew up around Emporia, Kansas. He joined the Navy in 1958 at the age of 18 where he learned the art of welding metal material. While still in the Navy, he married the love of his life, Nancy Ponak in 1959. After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy and having a skill set that was in demand Bob moved his family to Long Beach, California. He was recruited by Learjet to work for them in Reno, Nevada on an experimental race car and their aircraft. Because of his ability to weld titanium and other lightweight precious metal, he was asked to work on aircraft for the movie Tora, Tora, Tora.

In 1970, Bob and Nancy packed up their three kids and headed east. Nancy wanted to stop in Denver, Colorado and possibly settle there, but as fate would have it she was napping and Bob drove on by Denver and on to Kansas City, Missouri where other family members lived. They settled in a home in the Kansas City North area where they lived for their remaining lives.

His children would like to give their appreciation to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, especially Katie, for taking such good care of Dad.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations are made to Kansas City Chapter of MS Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Visitation will be held at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119 on Saturday, April 1st, from 10:00 AM -11:30 AM, with a private graveside service immediately following.