In Memory Of
Rev. Allen Langston
1926
2023
Rev. Allen Langston
March 10, 1926 — September 29, 2023
The Reverend Dr. Robert "Bob" Langston, Jr. age 97, a retired Christian (Disciples of Christ) minister, passed away on September 29, 2023 in Topeka, Kansas.
Bob was born March 10, 1926 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Robert and Pauline (Rudolph) Langston. He graduated from Liberty High School where he played on the varsity basketball team, and he later worked summers on a Union Pacific crew replacing railroad track ties. Upon graduation, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy (1944-1946), and his Navy service took him to the Philippines, China, and Hawaii.
He earned college credits at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO and the University of Colorado in Boulder. He then completed his business degree in 1950 at the University of Kansas. Bob was working in retail as a management trainee at the J.C. Penney store in Emporia, KS when he sensed his calling to become a minister, and he enrolled at Phillips University in Enid, OK.
While at Phillips, he luckily met and fell in love with another student, Mary Abraham, of New Castle, PA. They married on August 13, 1953 and began their life together. Bob was ordained in 1954 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 1955.
Phillips University conferred an honorary doctorate degree in 1972, and Bob earned a masters degree in Religion from the University of Kansas in 1973. He went on to complete his doctorate in Ministry in 1987 at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
Bob and Mary served churches in Douglass and Wellington, KS before moving to Topeka in 1960 where they served at West Side Christian Church for 31 years. They retired in 1991 to enjoy travel and numerous activities. Bob also served as pulpit-supply and frequently preached at churches in the region.
Bob was a beloved father and grandfather known for telling stories and jokes along with keeping a desk drawer full of wondrous wind-up toys. As a minister, Bob was admired for his leadership and spiritual guidance as well as planning meaningful worship experiences during Advent and Lent.
Bob wrote these words: "Ministry is the coming to an awareness of the meaning of life through the mutual sharing with individuals and families in times of joy and sorrow and frustration and achievement. It is watching children grow to adulthood and observing the development of their Christian faith along the way. It is experiencing the humility of the privilege of preaching as one steps into the pulpit and looks out at people who are eagerly anticipating the hearing of biblical truth. Ministry is working with people of faith and love – and in the process finding that one's own faith is deepened and that one learns the meaning of love."
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary on August 15, 2012. He is survived by his two children: David (Kathy) Langston of Tulsa, OK and Deba (David) Brant of Topeka and grandchildren: Joshua (Robyn) Langston of McLoud, OK; Britney Ramkaran of Tulsa; Samantha Brant of Kansas City, MO; John Brant of St. Robert, MO; Alexandria (Drew) Huskey of Shawnee, KS; Chance Watson of Tulsa; and Aysia Watson of Tulsa and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 7, 2023, at West Side Christian Church in Topeka. Private burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Side Christian Church, Doorstep Inc., or to the "Week of Compassion" relief mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
To share a memory of Robert or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Bob was born March 10, 1926 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Robert and Pauline (Rudolph) Langston. He graduated from Liberty High School where he played on the varsity basketball team, and he later worked summers on a Union Pacific crew replacing railroad track ties. Upon graduation, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy (1944-1946), and his Navy service took him to the Philippines, China, and Hawaii.
He earned college credits at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO and the University of Colorado in Boulder. He then completed his business degree in 1950 at the University of Kansas. Bob was working in retail as a management trainee at the J.C. Penney store in Emporia, KS when he sensed his calling to become a minister, and he enrolled at Phillips University in Enid, OK.
While at Phillips, he luckily met and fell in love with another student, Mary Abraham, of New Castle, PA. They married on August 13, 1953 and began their life together. Bob was ordained in 1954 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 1955.
Phillips University conferred an honorary doctorate degree in 1972, and Bob earned a masters degree in Religion from the University of Kansas in 1973. He went on to complete his doctorate in Ministry in 1987 at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
Bob and Mary served churches in Douglass and Wellington, KS before moving to Topeka in 1960 where they served at West Side Christian Church for 31 years. They retired in 1991 to enjoy travel and numerous activities. Bob also served as pulpit-supply and frequently preached at churches in the region.
Bob was a beloved father and grandfather known for telling stories and jokes along with keeping a desk drawer full of wondrous wind-up toys. As a minister, Bob was admired for his leadership and spiritual guidance as well as planning meaningful worship experiences during Advent and Lent.
Bob wrote these words: "Ministry is the coming to an awareness of the meaning of life through the mutual sharing with individuals and families in times of joy and sorrow and frustration and achievement. It is watching children grow to adulthood and observing the development of their Christian faith along the way. It is experiencing the humility of the privilege of preaching as one steps into the pulpit and looks out at people who are eagerly anticipating the hearing of biblical truth. Ministry is working with people of faith and love – and in the process finding that one's own faith is deepened and that one learns the meaning of love."
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary on August 15, 2012. He is survived by his two children: David (Kathy) Langston of Tulsa, OK and Deba (David) Brant of Topeka and grandchildren: Joshua (Robyn) Langston of McLoud, OK; Britney Ramkaran of Tulsa; Samantha Brant of Kansas City, MO; John Brant of St. Robert, MO; Alexandria (Drew) Huskey of Shawnee, KS; Chance Watson of Tulsa; and Aysia Watson of Tulsa and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 7, 2023, at West Side Christian Church in Topeka. Private burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Side Christian Church, Doorstep Inc., or to the "Week of Compassion" relief mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
To share a memory of Robert or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Allen Langston, please visit our flower store.
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