Robert Francis "Bob" Zenishek
August 5, 1918 — October 15, 2008
Robert Francis “Bob” Zenishek, of Wichita, formerly of Eureka, died on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, in Wichita, at the age of 90.
He was born on August 5, 1918, in Solon, Iowa, the son of Fred and Mayme (Krob) Zenishek. Bob graduated from Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with the class of 1936. He then attended the University of Southern California graduating with the class of 1942 with a Business Degree.
On August 9, 1941, Bob was united in marriage to Margaret Jean Roby in Raton, New Mexico. On April 12, 1943, Bob entered the United States Army Air Force and served his country with honor and dignity during World War II as a Heavy Bombardment Pilot, 1st Lieutenant flying B-24’s, B-32’s, and B-17’s. In addition, he instructed student officers in 4-engine flying, combat training, and instrumentation.
After the war, they settled in Los Angeles, California, and later to Boise, Idaho, where he worked for Allied Stores. In 1950, they moved to Eureka, where Bob opened Zenishek’s Department Store, and later purchased controlling interest in Calvert’s of Augusta. In 1984, he retired, selling the store in Augusta, and closing the store in Eureka. Since 1958, he has been an agent for Roby Ranches, and played an active role in ranching.
Bob was a Potentate of the Midian Shrine in 1977, past Potentate’s Aide, past President of the Greenwood County Shrine Club, past President of the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, member of the Executive Board of the Retail Council of the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce, President and Chairman of the Board of the C.R. Calvert Company of Augusta, Charman of the Board of Directors of Eureka Federal Savings and Loan Association and of the Eureka Realty Company, Chairman of the Board of the Corwin Company of Kansas City, Missouri, member of the board of the Kansas Society for Crippled Children, member of the Wichita High 12 Club, member of the Wichita Men’s Club, member of Boise Masonic Lodge No. 2, AF&AM, Wichita Consistory, Eureka Chapter No. 55, and Eureka Commandery, No. 45, member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and was an active member of the Christ Lutheran Church Council.
He is survived by his wife, Margie of the home; three daughters, Ginny Struble and husband, Bill of Topeka; Coco Sutton and husband, Ed of Sedan; and Bobbi Frank of Wichita; seven grandchildren, Christopher Zenishek of Wichita; Shannon Dudley and husband, Adam of Milten Keynes, England; Robyn Sutton of Wichita Falls, Texas; Casee Moran and husband, Jake of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Jake Sutton of Piedmont; Steve Struble and wife, Angie of New Iberia, Louisiana; and Stacy Landis and husband, Curtis of Topeka; five great-grandchildren, Kelton Zenishek, Chole Struble, Maggie Struble, Dain Landis, and Darrien Landis; one brother, Bill Zenishek and wife, Mary of Solon, Iowa; and one sister, Dorthy Ramsey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and one beloved cat, Toughie.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, October 20, 2008 at Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor Maureen Howard officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenwood Abbey, at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Midian Shrine Plane of Mercy, or to the Christ Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
He was born on August 5, 1918, in Solon, Iowa, the son of Fred and Mayme (Krob) Zenishek. Bob graduated from Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with the class of 1936. He then attended the University of Southern California graduating with the class of 1942 with a Business Degree.
On August 9, 1941, Bob was united in marriage to Margaret Jean Roby in Raton, New Mexico. On April 12, 1943, Bob entered the United States Army Air Force and served his country with honor and dignity during World War II as a Heavy Bombardment Pilot, 1st Lieutenant flying B-24’s, B-32’s, and B-17’s. In addition, he instructed student officers in 4-engine flying, combat training, and instrumentation.
After the war, they settled in Los Angeles, California, and later to Boise, Idaho, where he worked for Allied Stores. In 1950, they moved to Eureka, where Bob opened Zenishek’s Department Store, and later purchased controlling interest in Calvert’s of Augusta. In 1984, he retired, selling the store in Augusta, and closing the store in Eureka. Since 1958, he has been an agent for Roby Ranches, and played an active role in ranching.
Bob was a Potentate of the Midian Shrine in 1977, past Potentate’s Aide, past President of the Greenwood County Shrine Club, past President of the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, member of the Executive Board of the Retail Council of the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce, President and Chairman of the Board of the C.R. Calvert Company of Augusta, Charman of the Board of Directors of Eureka Federal Savings and Loan Association and of the Eureka Realty Company, Chairman of the Board of the Corwin Company of Kansas City, Missouri, member of the board of the Kansas Society for Crippled Children, member of the Wichita High 12 Club, member of the Wichita Men’s Club, member of Boise Masonic Lodge No. 2, AF&AM, Wichita Consistory, Eureka Chapter No. 55, and Eureka Commandery, No. 45, member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and was an active member of the Christ Lutheran Church Council.
He is survived by his wife, Margie of the home; three daughters, Ginny Struble and husband, Bill of Topeka; Coco Sutton and husband, Ed of Sedan; and Bobbi Frank of Wichita; seven grandchildren, Christopher Zenishek of Wichita; Shannon Dudley and husband, Adam of Milten Keynes, England; Robyn Sutton of Wichita Falls, Texas; Casee Moran and husband, Jake of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Jake Sutton of Piedmont; Steve Struble and wife, Angie of New Iberia, Louisiana; and Stacy Landis and husband, Curtis of Topeka; five great-grandchildren, Kelton Zenishek, Chole Struble, Maggie Struble, Dain Landis, and Darrien Landis; one brother, Bill Zenishek and wife, Mary of Solon, Iowa; and one sister, Dorthy Ramsey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and one beloved cat, Toughie.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, October 20, 2008 at Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor Maureen Howard officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenwood Abbey, at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Midian Shrine Plane of Mercy, or to the Christ Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
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