Robert L. Armstrong

Robert Lee Armstrong, 90, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2008.
He was born August 31, 1917, in Bartlesville, OK, the son of Lester Lee and Emma Louise (Hamm) Armstrong. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University. He served in the United States Army Band playing in the U.S. Bond Tour during WW II.
Robert was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for over 30 years before retiring and later worked for Kansas Department of Transportation for 10 years.
Mr. Armstrong was a former member of the First Christian Church of Topeka, Oakland Christian Church and a current member of the West Side Christian Church. He was a member of the Topeka Lodge No. 17, A F & A M and Arab Shrine, playing in the Arab Shrine Band, and served most recently as librarian for the band. He was a member and Past Watchman of the Shepherds of Trinity Shrine No. 7 of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem of Topeka; a member of Fidelity Shrine No. 11 of Lawrence; and member and Past Knight Commander of the Ancient Toltec Rite. He was also a member and Past Patron of Topeka Chapter No 462, O.E.S., and a current member of Loyal Chapter No. 176, O.E.S. and Helena Chapter No. 210.
Mr. Armstrong was an accomplished musician. He played in the Matt Betton Band, the Santa Fe Band, Marshall's Band, The Topeka Jazz Workshop, and several other local dance bands.
Robert married Margaret Leslie Collins on February 16, 1947, in Olathe, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Waechter of Whiting, KS; a son, Myron Armstrong of Topeka; two sisters, Dorothy Bereman of Wichita, KS and Geraldine Bagby of Joplin, MO; a brother, Thomas Armstrong of Florida; 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2008 at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence. Masonic services will be conducted by Topeka Masonic Lodge No. 17, AF & AM. Interment will be at Mt.Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Mr. Armstrong will lie in state after 3 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospitals c/o Arab Shrine Temple, 1302 South Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612-1332 or to the K.S.U. Music Scholarship Fund.