Services for Robert L. Frayser, DO, 75, of Lawrence, will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 13, 2026, at First Southern Baptist Church, 4300 W. 6th St, Lawrence, KS, 66049. Dr. Frayser died on Sunday, Feb 15, in Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia while snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.
He was born Sept 30, 1950, in Rochester, Pennsylvania. He lived in many cities in many different states during his childhood, as his father was active duty in the U.S. Air Force. They settled in Richmond, Virginia, after his father’s death when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Hermitage High School in 1968 and later entered the Air Force, following in his father’s footsteps, in 1970. After completing his tour of duty and separating with an honorable discharge, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, with his family to attend Wichita State University, earning a degree as a physician assistant. He worked for 6 years in Seneca, Kansas, before entering medical school in 1983. After graduating from what is now known as Kansas City University in 1987, he started a private medical practice in Hoisington, Kansas, where he served the community for 15 years. In 2003, he moved his practice to join his daughter, Karen, in Payson, Arizona, where they worked together for 6 years. Later, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas, working at the Haskell Medical Clinic, and later to the Topeka VA medical clinic. He retired in 2020 only to return to practice with Karen at Lawrence Memorial Hospital primary care in 2022. He retired again, but continued doing FAA physicals for pilots, which he did for 38 years, and enjoyed tremendously.
During his many years of medical practice, he served in the National Guard for 18 years. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force auxiliary, in both Payson, Arizona, and Lawrence, Kansas. He was on the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for 8 years and served as President in 2000-2001.
He married Donna Michael in 1971. They shared 54 years of marriage. They had 2 children, Karen and Michael, both of whom followed in his footsteps, attending medical school at his alma mater and are practicing physicians. His hobbies included flying his Commanche 400 airplane, playing golf and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughter, Karen; his son, Michael, and Michael’s wife, Jamie; and five granddaughters — Isabella, Olivia, and Emma, daughters of Karen; and Lilah and Ainsley, daughters of Michael and Jamie; and his sister, Mary Morris. Preceding him in death are his parents, Freddie Lee Frayser and Mary Lou (Frayser) Talley, and his brother Eugene.
There will be a private burial ceremony at the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St, PO Box 60, Lawrence, KS, 66044. Contributions can be made for the Frayser Family Scholarship at Kansas City University, which provides financial assistance to medical students. Additionally, Bob supported Tunnels to Towers and would welcome your contributions to this organization. Bob also supported the spreading of God’s word through the printing and distribution of Bibles. Contributions for this fund may be made to the New Spring Outreach Fund for Bibles. Checks can be made to New Spring Church in Wichita, KS.
Dear Donna and family,
I’m so sorry about the passing of Bob. He was a wonderful man who left this world a better place. When I think of Bob, my fondest memory has to be when he was my baseball coach when I was a nine year old boy in Seneca. Coaching ironically with my future father in law. Loved having him for a coach, always upbeat and knew how to earn the respect of 9 and 10 year old boys. Will never forget the bucket of bubble gum he always brought and his pipe! I can smell the pipe smoke to this day. When he lit up and the aroma spread through the dugout…it was game time! I’m sure that if all the memories you and your family have of him are as vivid as the ones I have from 45 years ago, he will never leave you. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Sincerely,
Sam Rottinghaus
Donna, Karen, Michael,
May you fill the comfort of the Lord through this journey of losing Bob. Always live through the fun memories he gave you. I will always remember his onery smile and wondering what he was up to next. Thinking of how “Blessed” Bob was with all his accomplishments in life. Many prayers coming your way.
Dr Frayser was the kindest and caring physician you ever met. He was my doctor when he worked at Haskell Indian Health Clinic. I got a chance to see him a couple more times when he worked with Karen at Mt. Oread. He always liked to make you smile even when you were having a bad day. I will always remember him. I express my heartfelt condolences to the family.
Bob, Jim Traylor and I have been great friends for more than 60 years and I will miss him desperately. But, Laura and I take comfort in two things. First, he died doing something he enjoyed and REALLY looked forward to and second, he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus and is now cancer free! HALLELUJAH! Still, all who knew him will miss him, especially Donna, Michael, Karen and his wonderful grandchildren. What a tremendous legacy he leaves.
I was friendly with Bobby at Brookland JR High, Hermitage High School and Virginia Commonwealth University. I well remember that day in September 1968, when we were registering for classes at VCU, and he told me he was majoring in pre-med. Due to different majors and occupations, we lost touch over the years; however, I enjoyed seeing him and Donna at the Hermitage reunions when he was a physician’s assistant in the US Air Force, and at a later one when he said that ‘he had bit the bullet’ and returned to medical school. I was also amazed years later to read an FAA safety notice about his miraculous survival of an aircraft mishap; surely God was watching out for and had future plans for him. He was a friendly and kind guy who dedicated his life to loving and serving his family, his community, and his country. Those of us who were touched by his life share in your loss; May God bless and comfort Donna and her family.
Bob was a dear friend and the best doctor my husband and I have had since moving to Great Bend, Kansas in 1972. He was responsible for saving my life in 1998 when I had adhesions following surgery, and other doctors in our area couldn’t even see the problem.
He even offered to fly me ANYWHERE if I ever had more physical problems!
When we received the call from Tommy Harris that Bobby had passed, my first reaction was shock. My heart immediately turned to prayer for Donna and her family during this incredibly difficult time.
Bobby, Tommy, and I first met in junior high school in the mid-1960s, and we have been friends ever since. Life took each of us down different paths, carrying us across the United States and even abroad as we built our careers and raised our families.
I feel truly blessed that in retirement and semi-retirement over the past 10+ years, we were able to reconnect and spend meaningful time together again. Jan and I will always treasure the memories of visiting Bobby and Donna at their home for several days in the fall of 2025. Those days meant more than I can express.
Bobby was always upbeat, no matter what was going on in his life. That steady optimism and warmth are how I will always remember him.
I will forever cherish the friendship and the memories we shared over more than 60 years.
God bless you, my dear friend. Rest in peace.
When we received the call from Tommy Harris that Bobby had passed, my first reaction was shock. My heart immediately turned to prayer for Donna and her family during this incredibly difficult time.
Bobby, Tommy, and I first met in junior high school in the mid-1960s, and we have been friends ever since. Life took each of us down different paths, carrying us across the United States and even abroad as we built our careers and raised our families.
I feel truly blessed that in retirement and semi-retirement over the past 10+ years, we were able to reconnect and spend meaningful time together again. Jan and I will always treasure the memories of visiting Bobby and Donna at their home for several days in the fall of 2025. Those days meant more than I can express.
Bobby was always upbeat, no matter what was going on in his life. That steady optimism and warmth are how I will always remember him.
I will forever cherish the friendship and the memories we shared over more than 60 years.
God bless you, my dear friend. Rest in peace.
So many wonderful memories of Dr. Bob Frayser. I remember how he was at the Hoisington sports events. Pulling Nathan’s dislocated finger back into place, treating all of Brian’s football broken bones, caring for Dustin through Mono and broken foot. He really cared about the kids and was always there to help and support them. Sending so much love, hugs and prayers to you Donna, Karen and Michael.
I am so sorry to hear about this. Bob was a great man and I am happy to have known him. My heart goes out to Donna and the family.
Bob was a wonderful caring doctor and loved his family and will be missed.
So incredibly sorry to hear of Dr. Frayser’s passing. Thinking of you Donna, Karen, and Michael during this time. When I think of him…and everything he did day to day when he was in Hoisington, I don’t know how he managed it all. You don’t find people/doctors like that anymore. He was always wonderful to me and my family. He will be missed. Prayers to his family.
Donna, when Tommy called and told me of Bobby’s passing, I was brokenhearted. My heart and prayers go out to you all. Bobby’s smile and laughter could brighten a room. He was that way in high school and when I last shared lunch with you all here in Virginia. God be with you through this most difficult of times.
Donna, Karen and Michael and families.. so sorry to hear about the passing of Bob. Lots of great memories to cherish and hold on too. Thinking of you all. Sending hugs to all.
Our condolences to you,Karen and Micheal,for your loss of Bob.Lots of memories when you’se lived in Seneca.Cherish all those years