Jetmore – Robert Lee Maskus, known as Bob by those who loved him, passed away October 20, 2021 at Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore surrounded by loved ones at the age of 88.

Bob was born November 14, 1932 at his family farm in Hodgeman County, Kansas.  He was the son of George Paul and Alta Evans Morris Maskus.  After attending a one room school house through his eighth grade graduation, he graduated from Dodge City High School excelling in multiple sports.  Bob found his passion on the baseball mound receiving multiple awards in high school and beyond.  After high school, he was a shortstop and pitcher in the Ban Johnson league.  He even got the opportunity to try out for the major leagues in Florida but unfortunately he was in a hitting slump.  He got a call back to tryout again but was drafted into service in the United States Army.

While serving time in the army and reserves from 1957-1963, he was a 4 ^th class specialist/company clerk stationed primarily in Korea.  Bob said he was armed with a typewriter instead of a rifle.   After serving in Korea, he returned to Wisconsin to train National Guard troops. Later in life, Bob received a Quilt of Honor for his service.

After being honorably discharged from the army, Bob had the opportunity to travel to St. Lucia and surrounding areas as a foreman building a fertilizer plant.  Returning back to Hodgeman County, Bob spent the rest of his days as a Kansas wheat farmer and stockman while also working part-time for McKinley Winter Livestock.  Bob was a member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church and the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  Bob also served several years as secretary for the Hodgeman County Hospital Board when it was run by the Lutheran Church.

Bob loved the outdoors whether he was on his tractor, checking cattle, or simply taking a walk.  Time at his parents' farm on Sundays and holidays was a special time spent playing cards and teaching his nieces and nephews his love of baseball among other things.  No matter who you are, you have probably heard one of Bob's stories especially those around the coffee table at the Co-op.  Bob loved to read everything he could get his hands on including newspapers, novels, dictionaries, you name it!  But most of all, Bob's absolute favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren and family.

Bob will be missed dearly by his wife of 55 years, Nancy; daughters, Julie Harms and husband Vaughn of Jetmore, Kansas and Dana Fairbank and husband Jim of Cimarron, Kansas; grandchildren Tanner Harms of Little River, Kansas, Chipper Harms of Jetmore, Kansas, and Brandi Stewart and husband Gary of Lindsborg, Kansas.  He will be fondly remembered by his siblings Jim Maskus, Edmond, Oklahoma, Richard Maskus, Bolivar, Missouri, and Helen Ann Wetzel, Great Bend, Kansas along with numerous nieces and nephews who loved their uncle Bob dearly.  He was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Maskus, Jack Maskus, and William Maskus, and three sisters, Jean Bushell, Phyllis Weiss, and Joyce Koehn.

It was Bob's wish not to have a big funeral but he did agree to a graveside service which will be Thursday, October 28, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Michael's Cemetery in rural Hodgeman County with military graveside rites with John Ewy presiding.  Like Bob, we ask that you dress casual.  Following the graveside service, please join us for a celebration of Bob's Life at the Cheyenne Hills Golf Course clubhouse in Jetmore, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Kenyon Nature Park and Jetmore Public Library (which were two of Bob's favorite places) in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, PO Box 663, Jetmore, KS 67854.