Earl Robert “Bob” Slapar passed away unexpectedly on May 14, 2022, at Spring Hill, Kansas.
Bob was born June 22, 1927, in Barton County, Missouri, the son of Stephania “Fannie” Licci Slapar and Frank Slapar. He grew up on a farm in rural McCune, Kansas, and attended Freed Rural School, then graduated from McCune High School in 1945. He was the last surviving member of the Class of ‘45.
After high school he served two years in the Army, stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Using the GI bill upon discharge, he enrolled in Kansas State Teachers College, now known as Pittsburg State University, and graduated in 1951 with a degree in Business.
Bob met the love of his life, Darlene Hanks in 1948, while decorating a float for KSTC homecoming and they married on August 28, 1951, in Pittsburg, Kansas. She preceded him in death on April 23, 2022. Two daughters were born to this marriage, Linda and Jana. In 1953 they moved to Eudora, Kansas, where Bob started work as a purchasing agent with Cooperative Farm Chemicals Association (CFCA), later known as Farmland Industries, retiring as purchasing manager in 1991.
Bob began his community service in Eudora by joining the Eudora Lions Club in 1955. In almost 67 years as a Lion, he served as Secretary/Treasurer for the club for 55 years, was District Governor in 1987 and again in 1990, served as secretary for the Kansas Lions Band Foundation for 20 years, sponsored 17 members into Lions and was a Melvin Jones Fellow, among other recognitions. In 1969 he was elected to the Eudora City Council and served for 20 years. In 1989 he was appointed to the Eudora Planning Commission and in 1995 was appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals, serving 14 years in that position.
Bob and Darlene loved to travel and attended many International Lions Clubs conventions all over the United States and the world including Montreal, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, England, China and South Korea. They extended their trip from South Korea to visit the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Slovenia, and Croatia. Their trip took them around the world in 32 days. For their 60th anniversary in 2011 they took their children and spouses on a heritage trip to Slovenia.
Many of their travels were related to Bob’s Lions events or Darlene’s passion for genealogy with visits to courthouses, libraries and cemeteries. Even though each had their individual interests you would find them working as partners on each other’s projects just because they enjoyed working together. Bob was a voracious reader and had an incredible memory. He could have a conversation with anyone about almost anything. He was a life-long learner that just loved visiting with people. He was kind, helpful and patient with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved the farms that he and Darlene grew up on, helping out on weekends and vacations after they moved to Eudora.
He is survived by daughters Linda (Bruce) Lowdermilk of Spring Hill, Kansas, and Jana Callaway of Girard, Kansas, three grandchildren, Christen (Nathan) Smith, Blue Springs, Missouri, Wesley (Heather) Callaway, Leavenworth, Kansas, and Brandon (Shelby) Callaway, Girard and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brother Frank (Claudette) Slapar, nephews Larry (Debbie) Slapar and Lloyd (Nikki) Slapar, niece Lynette (Dan) Schmidt, nephew Jim (Connie) Wade, niece Susan (Kent) Thompson, sister Karolyn (Harman) Hanks of Girard, niece Deanna Hanks and nephew Curtis (Randee) Hanks of Girard, all loved as bonus grandchildren, as well as eight great-nieces, five great-nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by son-in-law, Aaron Callaway, sister Marilyn Wade and nephew Lonnie Slapar.
Visitation is May 19, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. Graveside services will be held May 20, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Myers Cemetery, rural Girard, with Jan Veatch Yoger officiating.
A Celebration of Bob and Darlene’s lives will be held at the Eudora Community Center, 1638 Elm, Eudora, Kansas, on June 26, 2022, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Eudora Lions Club in care of the funeral home at 518 W. St. John, Box 258, Girard, KS 66743. Condolences may be sent to Smith-Carson-Wall or www.wallfuneralservices.com.
