Robert P. Lough, 88, was called home by The Lord of the Church on Friday, July 14, 2017, at his home in Kearney, MO, after battling congestive heart failure. Prior to moving to Kearney in 2016, Bob and his wife lived in Riverside, MO, for 42 years. Bob was born in Clarksburg, WV, on Jan. 7, 1929, to Oby Lewis and Jessie Wooddell Lough, the third of four children. He attended school in Clarksburg through fifth grade. After his father’s construction company went bankrupt, the family moved to went to his grandfather’s farm in Weston, WV. He remembered milking cows, hitching the work horses up, and riding them back after working the fields, which he said was “the most uncomfortable ride ever.” The family had a coal mine in the back yard where Bob dug coal to heat the house. Unable to stand in the 4 1/2 ft. high tunnel, he decided he did not want to be a coal miner. He worked in his father’s brick making factory as a stone mason. He decided that lifting heavy concrete blocks was not something he wanted to do either. The family moved from the farm to a house in Weston, WV, where he graduated from high school. He attended Linville State Teachers College and played football. In 1947, he joined his mother and younger brother who had moved to the Rosedale neighborhood of Kansas City, KS, where she worked as a seamstress. They lived in a one-room apartment with a blanket for a wall and an outhouse out back. Bob had learned ink drawing in high school. When he went to work for Kansas City Structural Steel, he was taught steel detailing, which soon became his career. While working for Southwest Ornamental Iron he drew the steel drawings for the stairs and hand railings of the St. Louis Arch. One of his vivid memories was visiting the Arch during construction. He rode the elevator up as far as it went, climbed stairs on the outside of the Arch, and walked the catwalk from one leg of the Arch to the other. He also drew the steel for the stairs and handrails at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Bob married Martha Morris before he was drafted into the Marine Corps.at age 22 . He found it amusing that they asked him if he wanted to serve in Hawaii or Korea. He joined the Air Wing and was stationed in Hawaii where he reached the rank of Sergeant and served as equipment foreman in the radar shack. As a result of this service, he lost almost all hearing later in life and was declared 100% disabled. While in Hawaii, his wife, Martha, who could not swim, was caught in an undertow and swept out to sea. Bob swam out to save her and brought her safely back. He was honorably discharged in 1953. In 1954 a daughter, Jeanie, was born. Unfortunately, Martha developed chronic schizophrenia which led to their divorce in 1965. A few years later he was introduced to a young widow with a teenage daughter. He and Geralyn St. John Maddux married three months later on January 7, 1968, and enjoyed 49 years together. Geralyn said not long ago, “I could look the world over and never find another Bob.” Bob started his own steel detailing business with Bob Shawver in the basement of his home. Don Price soon joined them. They had an office in North Kansas City. He later formed a partnership with Harry Super. He retired once at age 65, didn’t like it, and went back to work for his former partners until age 70. He enjoyed playing golf and watching sports on TV, especially KU. Bob was an insightful and ethical man with a sharp mind and a dry sense of humor. He was, an adoring husband, equally adored in return. Bob was a fine example of how to treat your wife. He was a supportive father and a beloved grandfather and great-grandfather. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; an older brother, Charles; a younger brother, Lewis; and his daughter, Jeanie Eiler, of Kansas City MO. He is survived by his wife, Geralyn, of the home; his daughter by marriage, Kimberly Murphy of Kearney, MO; five grandchildren: the Reverend Matthew Brackman (Sheri) of Texas City, TX, Kathryn Schnare (Mark) of Higginsville, MO, Dr. Rebekah Ford (Jon) of Clovis, NM, Seth Brackman, J.D. of Topeka, KS, and Evan Eiler of Kansas City, MO; and a sister, Louise Lawson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He also leaves ten great-grandchildren. Bob was a faithful member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kansas City, MO, for 48 years and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Kearney, MO, the last year of his life. He was diligent in attendance and a faithful partaker of the Lord’s Supper. Visitation is Sunday, July 23, 2017, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Kearney, MO. The funeral is Monday, July 24th, 11:00 a.m., at the church, with a luncheon following. Burial afterwards is at Belmont Cemetery, Wathena, KS, with graveside service at 2:30 p.m. with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1715 South Jefferson St., Kearney, MO 64060. Online condolences may be made at www.churcharcherpasley.com May all who mourn this death be comforted in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection of the dead unto eternal life for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.
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