In Memory Of
Robert Slemmons
Robert Slemmons
ROBERT SHELDON SLEMMONS
Robert Sheldon ("Bob") Slemmons, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died suddenly on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at an area hospital. He was born on March 12, 1922, in Mitchell, Neb., the son of Matthew Garvin Slemmons and Kathryn Fern Borland Slemmons.
Bob graduated from high school in Mitchell, then attended the University of Nebraska until the attack on Pearl Harbor, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served and saw action in the South Pacific.
He shaped our landscape.
After the war, Bob resumed his studies at the University of Nebraska and graduated in 1948 with degrees in architecture. He was a draftsman with Davis and Wilson, Architects in Wilson, Neb., before moving to Kansas in 1948, where he became Chief Designer and Project Architect for the State of Kansas, and later State Architect. In the mid-50s, he joined with architect John Brown to form Brown-Slemmons Architects in Topeka. Upon Mr. Brown's retirement in 1959, Bob started Robert S. Slemmons A.I.A. and Associates. His major projects include: the Kansas State Office Building, Topeka Presbyterian Manor, First Christian Church (Topeka), Trinity Presbyterian Church (Topeka), Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, Kaw Valley State Bank and numerous others.
He believed in the importance of human connections.
Bob's support for, and involvement in, his community took many forms. He served on boards of directors for The Topeka Civic Symphony, Mid-States Retirement Communities, the Topeka Festival Singers and others. He was an active member of the American Institute of Architects, The Topeka Art Guild, the Topeka Shawnee County Library, The St. Andrews Society, The Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and the Kiwanis Club of Topeka.
Tracing his family's lineage was one of Bob's passions. He researched and documented family histories going back centuries, making connections with relatives he had never known, sharing his discoveries and making new friends along the way.
He lived his faith.
Bob was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, serving as a deacon, an elder, and chair of the Board of Trustees. He taught the boys fifth-grade Sunday school class for many years and was active in the church's Adult Education Program.
On his bathroom mirror are the words: "Life is short, and we have never too much time for making glad the hearts of others. Oh, be swift to love; make haste to be kind."
His love of words and music was notable (as was his love of puns).
Bob loved all sorts of music, including laughter, which he considered music for the soul. He played trombone and baritone horn in the University of Nebraska marching band, and in 1941 marched with the band in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. He also played the trombone in the Topeka Civic Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife Dorothy sang in the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years.
He wrote volumes of memoirs, historical essays, children's stories, poetry and limericks. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts he gave his children and grandchildren was an appreciation of art, a love of music and a passion for learning.
"Don't ever think you know it all. Look and you'll find a lesson. Open gates; climb that wall. Make learning your obsession," he wrote.
He loved his family.
While stationed at the U.S. Naval Airbase in Olathe, Bob wandered into Kansas City's Jenkins Music Store and bought a record from a young woman named Dorothy Virginia Herrick. Friendship blossomed into love through their wartime correspondence, and on Dec. 16, 1945, they married in Topeka, Kan.
Bob is survived by his children: Claire Forster (Bob); Jennifer Kuner (Mike), Rob Slemmons (Julie DeVoe), and the Rev. Dr. Tim Slemmons (Victoria). In addition to his wife Dorothy and surviving children, Bob is survived by grandchildren Drew Forster, David Forster, Bret Forster (Michelle), Kim Mason (Jack), Claire Kuner, Emma Kuner, Dillon DeVoe, Alexandra DeVoe, Zoe Slemmons, Andreea Slemmons, Lily Slemmons and Leah Slemmons, in addition to three great grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Kay; an infant brother; and son, David.
Internment will be private. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel at 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. A service of witness to the resurrection will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 817 Harrison St., Topeka. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, or Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Dr., Norfolk, Va., 23509.
Robert Sheldon ("Bob") Slemmons, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died suddenly on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at an area hospital. He was born on March 12, 1922, in Mitchell, Neb., the son of Matthew Garvin Slemmons and Kathryn Fern Borland Slemmons.
Bob graduated from high school in Mitchell, then attended the University of Nebraska until the attack on Pearl Harbor, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served and saw action in the South Pacific.
He shaped our landscape.
After the war, Bob resumed his studies at the University of Nebraska and graduated in 1948 with degrees in architecture. He was a draftsman with Davis and Wilson, Architects in Wilson, Neb., before moving to Kansas in 1948, where he became Chief Designer and Project Architect for the State of Kansas, and later State Architect. In the mid-50s, he joined with architect John Brown to form Brown-Slemmons Architects in Topeka. Upon Mr. Brown's retirement in 1959, Bob started Robert S. Slemmons A.I.A. and Associates. His major projects include: the Kansas State Office Building, Topeka Presbyterian Manor, First Christian Church (Topeka), Trinity Presbyterian Church (Topeka), Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, Kaw Valley State Bank and numerous others.
He believed in the importance of human connections.
Bob's support for, and involvement in, his community took many forms. He served on boards of directors for The Topeka Civic Symphony, Mid-States Retirement Communities, the Topeka Festival Singers and others. He was an active member of the American Institute of Architects, The Topeka Art Guild, the Topeka Shawnee County Library, The St. Andrews Society, The Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and the Kiwanis Club of Topeka.
Tracing his family's lineage was one of Bob's passions. He researched and documented family histories going back centuries, making connections with relatives he had never known, sharing his discoveries and making new friends along the way.
He lived his faith.
Bob was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, serving as a deacon, an elder, and chair of the Board of Trustees. He taught the boys fifth-grade Sunday school class for many years and was active in the church's Adult Education Program.
On his bathroom mirror are the words: "Life is short, and we have never too much time for making glad the hearts of others. Oh, be swift to love; make haste to be kind."
His love of words and music was notable (as was his love of puns).
Bob loved all sorts of music, including laughter, which he considered music for the soul. He played trombone and baritone horn in the University of Nebraska marching band, and in 1941 marched with the band in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. He also played the trombone in the Topeka Civic Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife Dorothy sang in the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years.
He wrote volumes of memoirs, historical essays, children's stories, poetry and limericks. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts he gave his children and grandchildren was an appreciation of art, a love of music and a passion for learning.
"Don't ever think you know it all. Look and you'll find a lesson. Open gates; climb that wall. Make learning your obsession," he wrote.
He loved his family.
While stationed at the U.S. Naval Airbase in Olathe, Bob wandered into Kansas City's Jenkins Music Store and bought a record from a young woman named Dorothy Virginia Herrick. Friendship blossomed into love through their wartime correspondence, and on Dec. 16, 1945, they married in Topeka, Kan.
Bob is survived by his children: Claire Forster (Bob); Jennifer Kuner (Mike), Rob Slemmons (Julie DeVoe), and the Rev. Dr. Tim Slemmons (Victoria). In addition to his wife Dorothy and surviving children, Bob is survived by grandchildren Drew Forster, David Forster, Bret Forster (Michelle), Kim Mason (Jack), Claire Kuner, Emma Kuner, Dillon DeVoe, Alexandra DeVoe, Zoe Slemmons, Andreea Slemmons, Lily Slemmons and Leah Slemmons, in addition to three great grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Kay; an infant brother; and son, David.
Internment will be private. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel at 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. A service of witness to the resurrection will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 817 Harrison St., Topeka. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, or Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Dr., Norfolk, Va., 23509.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Slemmons, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
6:00 - 7:30 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 1
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