Robert George Meiners

Robert (Bob) Meiners, a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, lithographer, sailor and golfer, passed away June 22 at the age of 97.

Bob was born on July 9, 1927, to a prolific Kansas City family of German immigrants that still gathered biannually for reunion with hundreds of attendees. He was the youngest child of Frank and Antonia Meiners who raised 10 children while owning and operating one of the family’s many Meiners grocery stores.

Bob was affectionately known as the “baby brother” to 7 sisters, and 2 brothers, who remained close throughout their lives, raising families near one another and gathering for card games, bowling leagues, and birthday parties well into their 90s.

Bob served two years in the Navy during World War II and returned home to work at Midland Lithographing Company - which printed primarily cards and wrapping paper for Hallmark Greeting Card Company. He dedicated his entire career to that craft and retired as vice president.

In 1948 Bob married Claire Doudrick, a Kansas City native. They raised a family, traveled the world and shared a lifetime together before Claire passed away in 2009.

Bob and Claire were co-founders of the Raytown Little League baseball organization designed to give all kids a chance to play sports regardless of ability. They spent 35 years as KC Chiefs season ticket holders.

On a 1973 Florida road trip they purchased a day cruiser boat, called Julia Ann that they placed on Table Rock Lake and shared their love of boating with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A half century later the boat remains in use by family. Bob and Claire were also co-captains of the Second Wind sailboat on Stockton Lake.

After retirement they spent winters on South Padre Island where they made dear friends. Claire and Bob had a passion for travel - from African safaris to the pyramids in Egypt - and Bob documented every detail with his camera. A world map in their kitchen traced their international trips on pins and colored string, and their photos and stories inspired many other travel lovers in the family.

Bob was known as the guy who understood how everything worked and could build or fix anything. He began making exquisite wood clocks as a late-in-life hobby, turning his basement into a woodworking shop, designing and building his own engraving machine and gifting these keepsakes to all of his friends and family. He loved spending time with his son and daughter-in-law at their farm in Northwest Missouri where he helped build cabins, create ponds and could still kill a turkey with a crossbow well into his nineties.

Bob leaves behind a son, Dr. Don Meiners and wife Donna of Lee’s Summit and a daughter, Sandy Drusch and husband Pete, of Texas. Bob and Claire’s third child, Gary Meiners, died in an avalanche in Colorado in 1978.

Bob also leaves behind 6 grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The funeral mass and celebration of Bob’s life will be held June 27 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 3736 Lee’s Summit Rd., Independence MO 64055. There will be a gathering of friends and family and light lunch in the church hall from 12:00pm to 1:30pm, followed by the funeral mass at 2:00pm and interment to follow at Mount Olivet. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to go to the New Bell Tower at St. Mark Parrish.