Robert Dale Wallsmith was born in Wichita Kansas on June 14, 1948. He passed away from cancer on August 25, 2024. He was the youngest of five siblings. Beverly French of Carbondale, Kansas, Michael Wallsmith (deceased) of South Carolina, Phillip Wallsmith of Topeka, Kansas, and Thomas Wallsmith (deceased) of Levant, Kansas. Bob was raised on a farm north of Levant, Kansas by Fred and Wilma Wallsmith (both deceased). Much of his childhood was spent helping around the farm and even digging their swimming pool for recreation. They also raised hunting dogs. Bob's love for guns and hunting would last him a lifetime. He would later share this hobby with his children, nephews, neighbor kids, and grandchildren. Bob attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Colby, KS and then graduated from High School in Brewster, Kansas in 1967. He was a graduate of Fort Hays State University.
Over the years Bob worked in many professions. He worked at Service Oil Company in Colby, KS for many years. He owned the Grocery store in Brewster, KS. He worked as a mechanic at meatpacking plants in Colorado, Nebraska, Georgia, and Texas. Everywhere he went he made close contacts that he kept in touch with.
Bob was especially close with his grandkids. They have many great memories with him. The youngest, Hunter, recalls learning to drive with Grandpa’s 3-speed pickup in the yard. Caleb remembers shooting his first dove crouched down in a ditch with grandpa and his dad. Ashley says grandpa was always ready to help me. He even mowed my lawn when I lived in Brewster. Alexis will never forget getting 1000 kisses and neither will her kids! She was also very fond of her morning coffee dates with her mom and grandpa. Amber and grandpa always had a great time on the dance floor and when she started beauty school her biggest tip ever came from Grandpa Bob! Zebulun was named by grandpa. Alicia always looked forward to visiting Grandpa in Denver. She said he was as excited about our adventures such as the color run and zombie run as we were. She will never forget watching him wave goodbye from his yard as we got on the interstate to go home. Missy would love to say her best memory was all the times he stopped by and had dinner with her family in Brewster but it is actually dancing with him when she was a little girl! He was so energetic and fun. He spun her round and round and she thought he was the best dancer in the world! Tyler remembers getting a tool set from grandpa when he was very young. Grandpa took the time to go through each tool and tell him what it was called. He remembers asking him “Who is Allen?” when he got to the allen wrenches. He was very supportive of all that they did and made time for each of them.
Bob is survived by his three children, Julie Williams of Brewster, Kansas, Matthew (Stacy) Wallsmith of El Dorado, Kansas, and Jessica (Jim) House of Hays, Kansas. Ten grandchildren, Zebulun Wallsmith (Courtney Ress) of Colby, KS, Alexis (Wyatt) Werth of Winona, KS, Tyler Williams of Stockton, KS, Chevy Buck of Ark City, KS, Melissa (Aaron) Mann of Brewster, KS, Amber (Matthew) Isley of Hays, KS, Robert Caleb (Madison) of Wichita, KS, Ashley Barrie of Hays, KS, Alicia (Eric) Rincon of Hays, KS, and Hunter House of Hays, KS. And also twenty-five great-grandchildren.
To Bob, family was much more than blood. He also leaves behind many special friends that he made over the years. The Faber family, Robert Lehman, Stefan Toth, Sam Bailey and Bill Nopens. Just to name a few. The Galloway and Goss families of Denver and many exchange students throughout the world will forever think of him as “Grandpa Bob” and they all held a special place in his heart.
Cremation is under the direction of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.
Memorials are suggested to: The ARC of Central Plains in care of the Funeral Home.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared on Bob's tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com