Robert C. Barr

Robert C. Barr, 89, of Topeka, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Aldersgate Village Home Plus with his family by his side. Robert, the youngest of 8 children, was born on June 4, 1935, to Carroll Francis and Jane E. (Shehi) Barr, in Manhattan, Kansas. After graduating from Silver Lake High School, he married Elsie E. Hromada on October 21, 1956 at Silver Lake United Methodist Church and together raised two children, Shelley and Todd. Robert and Elsie lived in the house Robert built from 1968 until 2016, at which time they moved to Arbor Court Independent Living. In April of 2021, poor health caused Robert and Elsie to move to assisted living. Elsie passed away April 19, 2024.

Robert is survived by his children Shelley Gower (Brad) and Todd Barr, grandson Parker Gower, granddaughter Marit Rice Barr, his brother Maurice Barr, his sister-in-law Majorie Hromada, and many nieces and nephews. Robert was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and four brothers. 

After graduating from high school, Robert took a dance class to become a dance instructor and helped with wheat harvests. He spent some time in Grants, New Mexico remodeling his aunt’s house and it was during that time when Elsie made a train trip out to see him that he asked her to marry him. He got a job for the winter in Grants working at a Uranium plant and upon returning back to Kansas, he ran the Shawnee County seed cleaner, delivered bread for Manor Bakery and was a salesman for Fuller Brush. In 1956, he gave up the sales jobs and picked a trade that would eventually be his life-long career. Robert entered the carpenter apprentice program and dedicated 43 years as a carpenter, construction foreman and superintendent. After starting his carpenter apprenticeship, Robert joined the National Guard and served 6 years, with 6 months as active duty in the Army. Robert worked for several construction companies during his working years and retired from Senne Construction Company in 1999. He did a lot of side work on houses in the evenings and weekends both before and after retiring. Robert and Elsie enjoyed dancing and spent many Saturday nights at The Moose and other local dance clubs. They were able to travel after retirement, mostly driving to their destinations so they could “see the countryside” but they also made memories during several cruises with friends. They cherished spending time together doing anything and nothing. Robert and Elsie had a large circle of friends and prior to their declining health, they enjoyed spending time with them playing cards, celebrating New Years’ Eve at house parties, July 4th gatherings, dancing at The Moose and traveling. Robert was the perfect Papa/Grandpa and he and Elsie faithfully attended Parker’s soccer matches and baseball games over a 13 year period. He enjoyed his time with Marit during the visits she and Todd would make to Topeka. He would move heaven and earth for the grandkids and he always made time for the people he cared about. He had an extraordinary gift for turning a stranger into a friend.

After moving to Independent Living and then to Assisted Living, Robert and Elsie enjoyed watching Royals baseball, playing Bingo and Bean Bag Toss and socializing with other residents during meals and activities; but Robert’s most favorite activity was sleeping. Robert moved to Aldersgate Village after the passing of Elsie and his personality quickly earned him a spot as a “favorite” among the staff. His brilliant mind and skilled hands would prompt him to “disassemble his room” quite often, challenging the staff to learn creative ways to entertain his drive to do what was comforting to him – performing skills that he had been best at most of his entire life. Shelley and Brad visited him at least twice a week, taking Robert out for ice cream or sharing a bag of popcorn for a snack. He was always smiling, loved to laugh and his joyful greeting, no matter the time of day, was “well, good morning!”. Robert was such a kind and gentle soul who touched a lot of hearts, and he will be cherished and remembered forever for his overpowering kindness, optimism, compassion, selflessness, unconditional love and his unwavering dedication to family and friends. 

Robert was cremated. Services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:00 am at Parker-Price & Davidson Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka, KS 66608 with a reception immediately following at the Reception Center. Private burial will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604.

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