Shawnee Mission West
Classes of 1963 - 1964 - 1965
Deceased Classmate: Robert Howard
Date Of Birth:
Date Deceased:
Age at Death:
Cause of Death: Cancer
Classmate City:
Classmate State:
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: Yes Marines
Survived By:
Robert went by the name of Bobby Howard even in his adult life. We were good friends in High School but did not see each other again until 1984-84. I was working for the Government in Jacksonville North Carolina 9Camp Le Jeune). It was Halloween and when my doorbell rang and I answered it Bobby and his children were standing there. He lived one block away and was on active duty in the Marine Corps. We renewed our friendship. I was subsequently transferred overseas but was later informed that Bobby had passed away from cancer. I would estimate the time period to be 1987-90. He was married and had children.
Bobby lived about a half block from me. I think he and I started kindergarten together at Antioch Grade School. He was Bobby to all in those days. I knew him all the way through SMW. He and I and several guys went to the Ozarks to camp out together after graduation for some fun. I didn't see him again until I was in a WWII quonset hut in the northern part of Vietnam. I was waiting for a chopper to take me up north near the DMZ. I ran into another friend from high school (what a small world) who said he had just seen Bob the night before a few miles south in a Marine camp. Every time we were about to hop on a chopper it was called back because the base we were heading to was drawing fire. At dusk the flights stopped and they told me to be there at dawn. We walked and hitchhiked the several miles south, found Bob's Marine camp, and somehow found Bob. He was off duty so we went to a little tent where we could buy beer - picture Mash - that was us. The three of us couldn't believe we were together in Vietnam having fun for a moment - we drank warm beer till they wouldn't let us buy any more. I hitched and walked back to the landing field and was on a chopper early the next morning. I never saw Bob again. I wondered for years what happened to him. Several years ago I ran into Shirley Wehr and she told me he was gone. He was a good guy and I wish I could tell him that now.
Bob was my date to the senior prom and I remember going to his home on Hadley St. for photos. I remember his grandparents being there and they commented that they didn't want us running away and getting married! My dress was white! :-) I believe that his dad may have passed away before prom. I am certain that he had died before graduation. We dated most of second semester and then went our separate ways after school ended. I was shocked to learn of Bob's death at the time of our twentieth reunion. He was way too young and by reading Rusty's entry, I now know he had children which is even sadder. When I learned about Bob, in 1984, I was able to contact his mother. She had remarried and was living in a small town in southern Missouri. I can't remember the name of the town, but her husband was a jeweler. I did not hear back from her. Good memories of a high school crush, but so sad that he is no longer with us. Perhaps someone will be able to fill in some of the missing information-his widow, children, etc.? Pam Ransdell was a neighbor; she may have some information. Nancy Hagemann
Shirley Wehr (Quastler) (1964)
Rusty Davis (1964)
Bobby lived about a half block from me. I think he and I started kindergarten together at Antioch Grade School. He was Bobby to all in those days. I knew him all the way through SMW. He and I and several guys went to the Ozarks to camp out together after graduation for some fun. I didn't see him again until I was in a WWII quonset hut in the northern part of Vietnam. I was waiting for a chopper to take me up north near the DMZ. I ran into another friend from high school (what a small world) who said he had just seen Bob the night before a few miles south in a Marine camp. Every time we were about to hop on a chopper it was called back because the base we were heading to was drawing fire. At dusk the flights stopped and they told me to be there at dawn. We walked and hitchhiked the several miles south, found Bob's Marine camp, and somehow found Bob. He was off duty so we went to a little tent where we could buy beer - picture Mash - that was us. The three of us couldn't believe we were together in Vietnam having fun for a moment - we drank warm beer till they wouldn't let us buy any more. I hitched and walked back to the landing field and was on a chopper early the next morning. I never saw Bob again. I wondered for years what happened to him. Several years ago I ran into Shirley Wehr and she told me he was gone. He was a good guy and I wish I could tell him that now.
Rusty Davis
Nancy Hagemann (1964)
Bob was my date to the senior prom and I remember going to his home on Hadley St. for photos. I remember his grandparents being there and they commented that they didn't want us running away and getting married! My dress was white! :-) I believe that his dad may have passed away before prom. I am certain that he had died before graduation. We dated most of second semester and then went our separate ways after school ended. I was shocked to learn of Bob's death at the time of our twentieth reunion. He was way too young and by reading Rusty's entry, I now know he had children which is even sadder. When I learned about Bob, in 1984, I was able to contact his mother. She had remarried and was living in a small town in southern Missouri. I can't remember the name of the town, but her husband was a jeweler. I did not hear back from her. Good memories of a high school crush, but so sadthat he is no longer with us. Perhaps someone will be able to fill in some of the missing information-his widow, children, etc.? Pam Ransdell was a neighbor; she may have some information.
Nancy Hagemann