June 13, 1932 ~ December 31, 2018
Robert Wallace Lebeda, age 86, was peacefully released from this world on December 31, 2018.
Born June 13, 1932 in Wellington, Kansas at then Hatcher Hospital to parents Rudolph Jerry Lebeda and Cecila Mae (Lassell) Lebeda, Robert grew up on the family farm, attended 8 grades at District 99 (known as Knowledge Hill) one room school house located ½ mile south of farm. He attended an additional four years at Caldwell High School graduating in 1950.
He married the love of his life Marla Joan Turek daughter of James J and Marie Ann Turek on June 7, 1953 at Central Christian Church in Caldwell, Kansas.
He farmed with his father until January 1954 when he was called up from reserves for active duty in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas transferred to Fort Eustis, Virginia where he certifed as a Marine Hull Repairmen and in the fall of 1954 prepared for overseas duty when orders changed to report to Point Barrow, Alaska to support the newly formed Distant Early Warning Line along the Northern Alaskan Coast.
Following discharge from active duty he remained in the Army reserves until final discharge November 23, 1959 with the rank of Sargent.
While his primary vocation was farming his interests and skills were as varied as they were many.
The heavy equipment operations at Point Barrow birthed a passion that would lead to a decades long relationship with Caldwell Township operating their “Cat 933” for culvert replacement and road shaling operations to an untold number of hours in grader model after grader model keeping the roads in shape and snow drifts busted. Not to mention the ditches mowed and weeds burned.
The self-reliance of farm life led to the mechanic skills he used first at Divelbiss John Deere in Medford, Oklahoma and years later at the Massey-Melton dealership in Caldwell.
Basically if it needed welded he could weld it. If it was broke, he fixed it. Be it a tractor, a combine or a cultivator, just give him the tools and he'd make it work.
Farm life didn't lend itself to a lot of leisure time but what he did have he made full use of.
With his wife Marla he enjoyed in his younger years square dancing (even taking to calling dances from time to time), card parties and Sunday school parties.
A devoted father, he did all possible to ensure every summer had a family vacation with as much fishing and grilling as possible in between.
And as that family one by one left the nest he looked forward to numerous trips with wife Marla. Trips that took them to the Grand Canyon, Chicago, San Fransisco, Pasadena Rose Parade, New Orleans Mardi Gras, National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Disney World and Epcot, Mackinaw Island and Canada and more places in between.
His faith was always with him as he served as a deacon, trustee and treasurer of Central Christian Church. And it was in that faith that God called him home without regret.
Robert is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marla, three children Jeffrey Lebeda, Cheryl Floyd, Steven Lebeda and wife Chelsea, five grand-children and four great grand-children.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at the Central Christian Church, Caldwell, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in Robert's name to the Central Christian Church or to the Caldwell High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund and may be left in care of the mortuary.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Dear Cheryl and family
Cheryl Pratt - 01/02/2019
So sorry for your lost! Sending hugs and prayers!
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Dear Jeff
Randy &Shirley - 01/02/2019
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Take care. We love you!
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Marla
Don Herbert - 01/02/2019
Wow I was a 5 year old cousin when I served as ring bearer at your wedding. My how time flies. I know all the cousins remember gathering at your place for Thanksgiving year after year. How blessed you are to have had such a long loving relationship. Peace be with you and the family.
RIP Robert.
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Cheryl and family, I am sorry
Dana Monson - 01/02/2019
Cheryl and family, I am sorry to hear about Robert's passing. You are all in my prayers.
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Jeff -
Lyman Wheeler - 01/03/2019
I'm so sorry to read about your father's passing. I think of you often and wonder where life had led you. I'm sure there are many surrounding you to help through a difficult time. lymanwheeler@gmail.com
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Rest Robert, until you hear
Harry Simpson - 01/03/2019
Rest Robert, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
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Jeff,
Eric and Pam Diss - 01/07/2019
Your sadness now is a reflection of your love for your dad who is gone... may the warmth of family, friends and wonderful memories bring you comfort at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
