Robert L. Taylor

Robert (Bob) L. Taylor, 83, passed peacefully Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at The Windsor of Lawrence. A Celebration of Life service will be 10 am, Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church. A private burial was previously conducted in the green section of Oak Hill Cemetery.

Bob was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Willis, Kan., the son of C.W. and Bessie Tinsley Taylor. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Washburn University, and his Master’s and additional Doctoral coursework at Kansas University.

Mr. Taylor spent his entire career with Lawrence School District 497, initially as principal at Pinckney Elementary, later as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and finally as Assistant Superintendent until his retirement in 1995 after 35 years of service. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, along with numerous civic and professional organizations. He enjoyed traveling, reading, and yard work. Bob had a passion all his life for dogs and rarely didn’t have one in the home.

He married Fern Wolff in 1951 in Everest, Kan. They divorced in 1978. He married Romaine Douglas on Aug. 28, 1978, in Valley Falls. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, Kent Taylor and wife Cheryl, Lawrence; a daughter, Susan Grier and husband John, Chula Vista, Calif.; a step daughter, Claire Oxtoby and husband David, Claremont, Calif; seven grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.

The family suggests memorials to Friends of the Lawrence Public Library, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.