Bob & Melanie Myers

Robert “Bob” and Melanie Myers Robert “Bob” P. Myers, 73, died Nov. 4, 2019 in Lincoln, NE, and Melanie Myers, 67, died December 14, 2019 in Manhattan, KS. A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 19 at the First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort, KS. Bob was born on July 23, 1946 in Frankfort to Preston and Irene (Rockwell) Myers. He grew up on farms near Winifred and attended Marysville High School, graduating in 1964.  He attended Highland Community College and earned a bachelor’s degree in Education at Washburn University, Topeka. During this time, Bob also served in the National Guard. In 1970, Jennifer Myers, was born to Bob, from a previous marriage. In 1974, Bob married Melanie Whiteman.  They had three children, Amie, Carly, and Bobby.  He was a great parent and husband who was a teacher, coach, primary caregiver, advisor, and helpmate to his wife and children. He loved sharing his time, knowledge, opinions, humor, and hobbies with his family and friends. Bob worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a surveyor for about 20 years. He then changed careers and taught science, biology and anatomy at Frankfort Junior High and High Schools for about two decades. He enjoyed sharing his love of learning and science as well as spending time with 7th - through 12th -graders. He also painted houses in the summers and, after retirement, worked as a substitute rural mail carrier. He spent most of his life living in Marshall County and would not have lived anywhere else. He chose to live in the country where he could enjoy the quiet, wildlife, and natural beauty of the countryside. It was important to him to be in a place near his family and where he had strong roots and could be an active member of the community. His hobbies included word puzzles, reading murder mysteries, hunting, and participating in competitive shooting sports as well as leading 4-H shooting sports. He enjoyed good food and could often be seen at a potluck dinner wearing a flamboyant Hawaiian print shirt and sharing good stories, and a laugh. Melanie was born on July 5, 1952 in Topeka, KS, to Ferris and Rosemary (Slater) Whiteman. She grew up in north Topeka and attended Seaman High School, graduating in 1970.  She attended Washburn University in Topeka. In 1974, she married Robert “Bob” Myers.  Melanie was a great parent and wife who created a family life filled with hugs, games, music, an appreciation of art and culture, and warmth. In particular, she loved spending time with children, including her own children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and those she worked with at Frankfort Elementary. Melanie worked at Frankfort Elementary School for three decades serving as a library aide, classroom aide, and director of the computer lab. She was a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, member of the Frankfort Presbyterian church where she served as a deaconess and elder, associate member of Salem Lutheran Church where she served as assistant organist, member of the Frankfort Development Trust, and sang in the Axtell Christmas Cantata. She looked forward to each new day and found joy and laughter wherever she went. She enjoyed traveling and within the last few years had toured churches in France with a good friend and camped in Yellowstone National Park with her grandchildren. She was a life-long learner who was studying French and learning to play the violin and cello. She really enjoyed hosting family gatherings, quilting, knitting, gardening, and winning games. Over Christmas, her family will think about some of her favorite seasonal activities: driving around to see neighbors’ Christmas lights and decorations, drinking hot tea, listening to Christmas music, laughing at funny stories and good jokes, working on a jigsaw puzzle, playing word games, and watching a good movie. They were preceded in death by their parents; Melanie’s siblings, Susan Champlin and Keith Whiteman; and grandson, Preston Myers. They are survived by children, Jennifer Wolff, Lake Winnebago, MO, Amie Hanson (Brett), Seattle, WA, Carly Myers, Frankfort, and Bobby Myers (Naomi), Lawrence, KS; six grandchildren; Bob’s brothers, Bill Myers (Francie), Frankfort, and Steve Myers (Sharon), Waukesha, WI; and Melanie’s brother, David Whiteman, Concordia, KS. Donations can be made in Bob & Melanie’s name to Children’s Mercy Kansas City. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bob & Melanie Myers, please visit our flower store.