Robert E. Boyle, Jr.

Robert Elmo Boyle Jr. was born to Robert Elmo Boyle Sr. and Clarisse Watkins Boyle on May 21, 1944 in Washington MO. The family lived on the Ralston Purina Research Farm at Grey Summit where Bob’s dad was manager of the poultry department. He could tell many stories of farm activities and meeting visitors from other countries. During the summers he worked at cleaning out animal barns and painting fences.

Bob graduated from Washington MO High School in May, 1962. After high school, he attended Southwest MO College in Springfield, MO then enlisted in the Navy in 1964. He was stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island then Pensacola, Fl. He also did two tours of duty on the USS Essex. He made the most of liberty time to see the sights of the Caribbean, London, Paris and Italy. His naval training led to his career with the National Weather Service. After his discharge from the Navy he sold shoes at a department store in St. Louis and then was hired by the Weather Service. He began his career in Kansas City, MO then moved to Cheyenne, WY and his last move was to Goodland, KS in July of 1974.

While in Goodland, he met his future wife Deborah Peterson and they were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo, NE on June 17, 1978. Bob took flying lessons from George Ross and Harley Whisnant and was a member of a flying club. He was a long-time member of Goodland Kiwanis Club and enjoyed many of their activities including working at the fair shack, helping with the demo derby during fair week, and putting out U.S. flags on patriotic holidays. Bob served on the Goodland Library Foundation and the Library Board. He also enjoyed delivering meals-on-wheels for Kiwanis and Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He and his wife enjoyed many trips to Yellowstone Park, Grand Canyon, Seattle, Niagara Falls and places in between.

Life started to slow down when his kidneys started to fail and he had to be on dialysis. He missed doing yardwork and traveling and Kiwanis activities. He passed away unexpectedly at age 81 at his home on Oct. 19th 2025. He is survived by his wife, Deborah, of the home and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and other family members.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Goodland Public Library or to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave, Goodland KS 67735.