George Robert Bogart

George Robert "Bob" Bogart, following an extended illness, went to be with our Lord Monday, Jan, 29, 2007, at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas.
Bob was born September 16, 1925, in a house at 2628 Kensington, Kansas City, Mo. He was told he was the delight of his two older sisters, Martha and Jane. Bob was the son of Frank Howard and Irene Bogart. His father was from Clinton, Mo., his mother from Nevada, Mo. His mother's sister owned Nave Bookstore on the south side of the square in Nevada, Mo. It is through the influence of this aunt Bob gives credit for liking to read. Bob's father earned a living as a tool and die maker, working many years at Sheffield Steel, which is now Armco Steel.

The depression years were difficult ones for Bob's family. During this period his father was ill for a year and unable to work. Bob says he was too young to really absorb all they endured. He does remember his mother kept the faith. She made certain her three children attended church, Christian Science Church. This was not an easy task as the family did not own a car. They had to ride on the street car.

During his teens, Bob had a paper route. He delivered the Kansas City Star before and after school, plus Saturday and Sunday. He also had various summer jobs. He graduated from Westport High School. When Bob was 18, during the first week in December 1943, became a member of Uncle Sam's Army. He served in the 86th Infantry Division, being in Germany at the end of the war. Bob was discharged 15 March 1946.

During the war, Bob's parents moved to Independence, Mo., to live with his sister, Martha, whose husband, John Dewey, was an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. Bob would not only come home to his parents and sister, but also three little nieces. These little girls were very special to him.

In May of 1946, Bob met Dorothy Houchens. They always felt this meeting was not by chance, but that God had a hand in it. Dorothy was attending the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Bob was enrolling in Kansas City Junior College. He would later transfer to the Kansas City Art Institute. The two met at a trolly-bus transfer point. The chemistry was right, though a serious relationship had to wait until both finished school and Bob found employment. 1950 was their year. Bob graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute. Almost immediately he found a job as an artist for Blakemore Brothers Wholesale Grocery Co. in Liberal, Kan. As soon as Bob made certain this job would be permanent, he returned to Independence and he and Dorothy were married, June 10, by Rev. L.M. Proctor here at First Baptist Church.

During this courtship, there were many serious religious discussions. Bob was nurtured in a different faith from Dorothy's and was searching. It was important to both that they begin marriage in a church home together. They immediately began visiting various denominations. During a revival November 1950, Bob made a public profession of faith and embraced the Baptist religion.

Dorothy was homesick. The summer of 1951 found the returning to Independence. September 30, 1953, God blessed the couple with a baby girl, Frances Elizabeth. From then on she would be the center of their attention.

September 1954, Bob began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in the Federal Building in Kansas City. He was a visual information specialist. His work was very diversified. He was fortunate to work side by side with a fine group of Christian men. His job was excellent for a family man. He could take his wife and daughter with him to ground breakings, dam dedication, state fairs, etc. Also, Bob was active in the National Federation of Federal Employees Union, being president of Local 29 for two terms. Dorothy and Frances accompanied him to state conventions. He retired in 1985.

Bob and Dorothy shared a love for the out of doors, from gardening to traveling. At one time half of the backyard was a garden. They traveled with their daughter to south Missouri, where he taught his girl to fish, once to Florida and often west to the mountains. When Bob retired they began camping. It became a real hobby. First they invested in a fold down trailer, then graduated to a 26' travel trailer. They pulled their trailers to various parts of the country, as well as western Canada. They joined a camping club. Monthly weekend get-togethers in Kansas and Missouri and yearly four-nighters were the order of the day. They gained many new friends.

Bob loved to read. He could read for hours at a time. He was particularly interested in books on history. He enjoyed reading about the Civil War. Many of their vacations were spent traveling to battlefields he had studied. Bob also had a love for classical music. He enjoyed sharing culinary talents.

Bob's church family was important to him. He served his church faithfully through the years. During his younger years, he taught Sunday school. Bob was always happy to share his talent as an artist. For many years he ushered. He was one of the church's money counters. He was faithful to his Lord wherever needed.

He leaves behind his wife, Dorothy, of the home; and daughter, Frances Elizabeth Bogart Greeley and husband, Steve. He is preceded in death by his sister, Martha Dewey and brother-in-law, John, sister, Jane Wadlin and brother-in-law, Kenneth, and brother-in-law, John Houchens.

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