Robert Leo Schwickrath

Robert “Bob” Leo Schwickrath, formerly of Sedalia passed away January 15th in Tampa, Florida with family at his bedside. Bob was born May 16th, 1931, in Tipton to John and Louise Schwickrath and graduated from Tipton High School in 1949.

His next stop was US Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he spent four years in the Navy. Bob remained proud of his service for the rest of his life.

Following his discharge, he spent a year at Ford Aircraft making wings for B -47’s.

He then attended the Research Hospital radiology technology program in Kansas City, graduating in 1955.This is where he met fellow student Jane Griffith.

Bob went on to be Chief Tech and Director of Radiology at Bothwell Hospital for 42 years. Over the years, Bob led the expansion of the department from a small and antiquated unit into a modern state-of-the-art facility by the time he retired.

He married Jane Griffith June 14th, 1962. They were married for 53 years until her death in 2015. Bob was a devoted husband and father. When his children were young, he devoted his spare time to the development and leadership of the Sedalia Soccer Program. During his tenure, three additional soccer fields at Centennial Park were created, many team sponsors found, followed by years of lining the fields, hauling of the nets, balls and kids to games and soccer camps in the area. Bob was just as active and present with the Sedalia Swim Team. An official race starter and timer with the skin cancer to prove it! There was never a game, swim meet, track meet or band performance missed.

Bob was artistic with an engineer’s mind and loved working with his hands. For many years he was an avid wood carver. In 2006 he and dear friend (and partner in mischief) Dr. Doug Kiburz founded Cave Folk Creations which created a variety of award-winning copper-wire trees. They modeled one of their trees after the Tree of Andry which is the symbol for the orthopedic profession. Those were highly regarded by Orthopedic schools across world and presented as graduation gifts, some sent as far away as Sweden and Japan.

Bob is survived by his two children, Mark Schwickrath of Newark, New Jersey and Kristi Mogg and her husband Paul of Tampa Florida. He adored and was extremely proud of his two grandchildren, Katherine of Denver, Colorado, and Kye of New York City. He also leaves many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends. Preserving Bob’s legacy in Sedalia are Doug and Connie Kiburz, who with their daughters Beth and Alice became a second family to Jane and Bob. Remaining as the last of the “old breed” is Jane Stewart who still lives, at age 100, in Sedalia.

In addition to his wife Jane and his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Joe Schwickrath and Cecil White and sisters Dorothy Kutenkuler and Jackie Cullen.

Per Bob’s request there will be no memorial service. He asks that you to remember him in your hearts as you knew him. Whether that is S.O.B (Sweet Old Bob) or otherwise. Bob will join Jane during a casting of his ashes off their favorite beach, Pass-a-Grille, Florida.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Trail’s End Monument, Missouri State Fair Foundation 2503 West 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri 65301.