Robert Leo Bateson

Robert Leo Bateson

Robert Leo Bateson, 78, Topeka, died Tuesday, July 20, 2004, at a Topeka hospital. He was born April 30, 1926, in Topeka, the son of Roy F. and Mabel E. Doel Bateson. Mr. Bateson graduated from Rossville High School. He was a truck driver for more than 49 years, retiring in 1994. His last place of employment was with Hamm Asphalt. Robert married Esther M. Bailey on July 27, 1954, in Topeka. He was preceded in death by a sister, Leona Lowe; and two granddaughters, Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo McBroom. Survivors include his wife, Esther, Topeka; two sons, Donald Bateson, and his wife, Rose, Topeka, and Melvin Bateson, Orange, Calif.; two daughters, Katherine Bateson, Topeka, and Linda McFarland, and her husband, Harold, Topeka; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Chapel services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel. Burial will be in Prairie Home Cemetery in Topeka. Mr. Bateson will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Parker-P rice Chapel in North Topeka after 3 p.m. today, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bateson Memorial Fund, 1320 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, 66608.