Robert Holmes, Jr.

Robert N. Holmes, 53, of Topeka passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Bob was born October 28, 1956 in Rockford, IL, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Dolezilek) Holmes. Bob graduated from Washburn University in 1978 with a BBA in Accounting and received a Master of Accountancy from Kansas State University in 1979. Bob was a Certified Public Accountant with thirty-one years of experience. He began his career with Touche Ross & Co in Topeka as an auditor and transferred to the tax department. He went on to form his own firm in 1987 after having spent time as a CFO of a private company. In 1997, he established Holmes & Associates Chartered, a certified accounting firm. He served on several boards including Family Service and Guidance Center, St. Francis Audit Committee, Vision Bank, and as a Trustee of the Washburn University Endowment Association. Bob married Gladys Jenkins December 22, 1978 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include: his daughters, Jessica (Joseph) Collins, Hannah (Garrett) Grow, Amanda (Walter McCormick) Holmes, Briana Holmes; his mother, Elizabeth J. Holmes; his siblings, Jean "Shelly" Holmes, Douglas (Ling) Holmes, Scott (Juliana) Holmes, Rick (Lynn) Holmes; his grandchildren, Kathryn and Eliza Collins and Charles Robert Grow; and three nieces and four nephews. The family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 31, 2009, at the funeral home. Committal services will follow at the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 1034 S. Brentwood Suite 1510, St. Louis, MO 63117 or the Washburn Endowment Association.