C. Robert Wykert

C. Robert Wykert, 96, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2023.

He was born July 27, 1927, in Soldier, Kansas, the son of Frank G. and Eva (Vanderwall) Wykert.

Bob graduated from Circleville High School where he played on the basketball team. He enlisted and served in the United States Navy after high school. He then graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors degree in Physical Education and was honored to have Phog Allen as one of his instructors. Bob earned his Masters degree from Emporia State University.

He taught physical education at Highland Park Junior High then moved to Holliday Junior High where he taught and coached for many years. When Holliday closed, he moved to Boswell Junior High until it closed. He ended his teaching career in the environmental education program and piloted the bus while instructing many students on memorable field trips around the Topeka area and to Lake Perry. He retired from the USD 501 in 1990 after 35 years. Bob was very proud to teach physical education and that Meggin followed him into that profession.

On June 28, 1953 he married Jennie C. Visser in Topeka. She preceded him in death on June 6, 1991. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Sue Ellen Wykert, brothers Lyle, Graydon, and Gerald, and his sisters; Grace, Velda, and Evelyn Edwards.

Survivors include two daughters, Kay Benjamin and Meggin DeMoss; his brother, Kenneth K. Wykert, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Bob enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was always up for a weekend camping trip or a camping vacation. He and his brothers had rousing games of cribbage during their time together and he was often at the top in the family horseshoe tournaments.

He and Jennie walked, hiked, and traveled together and loved to go dancing at the Legion or the Moose. Following Jennie's passing, he spent winters in Arizona with Kay and her family, and later in Sun City with his brother Graydon who routinely trounced him on the golf course.

Bob loved working with wood and built many shelves, desks, bookcases, and most popular, the fort/play structures for his grandchildren. He found pleasure in watching and feeding the birds and squirrels and the wild turkeys who roam the grounds at Aldersgate Village where he lived for the last eleven years. Bob loved hearing and telling a good story or a joke and always had a greeting and a kind word to share.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 followed by a service at 11:00 at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 17th & Fairlawn, Topeka. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Public Schools Foundation, PO Box 5883, Topeka, KS 66605 Funds can be designated to the Environmental Education program if you so choose.

To share a memory of Robert or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.

Robert's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.