Robert L. Elliott

Robert (Bob) L. Elliott, 83, of Topeka, passed away Monday, September 19, 2016.

He was born September 21, 1932, in Glendale, California, the son of Samuel and Lois (Stansbury) Elliott.

Bob spent his entire career in the financial services industry eventually retiring from Kaw Valley State Bank in Topeka in 1997. Many enjoyed his dry wit, kind disposition, and good humor, even through his final days.

In 1939, at the age of seven, Bob moved to Superior, NE, his parent's hometown. It is in Superior, that he formed his lifelong love of all things Nebraskan, particularly Nebraska Cornhuskers Football. He was on the undefeated Superior High School football team that won 1949 State Championship, the year before he graduated. He later attended Kemper Military in Boonville, MO, for one year.

In 1952, he and his best buddy, Harold Saathoff, enlisted in the Air Force. They married sisters: Norma and Lorene Bargen, before being stationed in Belleville, IL, and later at Parks AFB, California. Bob and Norma had two daughters, Kelli and Sherri, before later divorcing. Norma A. Elliott passed away in 2005.

Bob served in the Air Force for 4 years, with a final Staff Sergeant rank, and just missed being deployed to Korea when an unmarried friend volunteered to go in his place.

Upon leaving the Air Force, he attended Kansas State University. While in Manhattan, KS, he started working at Household Finance, with the idea that in two months, he could earn the $50 needed to finance a move back to California. Thus began a lifelong career in consumer finance/commercial banking, moving him to Clovis, NM, and then finally to Topeka, KS. This led to Governor John Carlin appointing him to Consumer Credit Commissioner of Kansas in 1979.

Bob married Gale Elliott in Topeka in 1973, on Memorial weekend, being among the first to honeymoon at the newly opened Westin Crown Center Hotel, in Kansas City, MO. Bob shared his love of gardening with Gale, who has sold flower arrangements at the Topeka Farmer's market for years. His gardening interest grew out of the family business, The Superior Floral Company, a greenhouse in Superior, NE, where he spent most of his childhood.

Bob enjoyed boating, camping and fishing, and for many years, spending the majority of summer weekends at the lake with family and friends. When not at the lake, Bob enjoyed time at the family pool, and spent the last 17 years wintering in Clearwater Beach FL.

Bob was an enthusiastic Nebraska Husker's Football fan since his early years in NE. He attended many games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, including the 1978 Nebraska-Oklahoma game when Billy Simms fumbled the football on the 3 yard line with 3:27 remaining, leading to the first Nebraska win over Oklahoma in 6 years.

He was a charter member of the Northeast Kansans for Nebraska Club where he served as Treasurer, helped to organize events and facilitated a scholarship fund for students attending the University of Nebraska.

Survivors include wife, Gale Elliott; daughters, Kelli Bailey (Wayne) and Sherri Elliott (Kevin); step-daughters, Cathy Wasson-Lewis (Richard), Shelly Drysdale (Mike), and Kim Wasson; grandchildren, Cory Lechtenberger (Abbe), Sarah Lechtenberger (Chris), Ali Bailey, and Hope Bailey, Andrew Berutto, Melissa Berutto, Wesley Berutto, Mariah Nestor, Melanie Nestor, and Jodi Criqui (Jason), Erin Lewis, Amanda Braden and Shannon Lewis (Victor); and eight great-grandchildren.

Bob was cremated. A memorial ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2016, at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th Street, Topeka, KS 66604. Interment of the cremated remains will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. A reception and visitation will be held at the chapel at 11:30 a.m. immediately following interment. Memorial contributions may be made to Nebraska Scholarship Fund, Northeast Kansans for Nebraska / Susan Vargas, 2130 SW Pondview Dr., Topeka, KS 66614.

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