Bob Gilpin |1940-2022|

Bob Gilpin, 81, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Grand Plains Skilled Nursing in Pratt.
He was born August 10,1940, in Pratt, to Rex and June (Keller) Gilpin.
He married Loree (Byers) Gilpin on April 23, 1961, in Hoisington. To this union was born three children: Marc Rex, Marla June, and Matthew Earle.
They were married for 61 years.

Bob graduated from high school in 1958, and from Pratt Community College in 1960, where he met the love of his life, Loree. Following their marriage, they moved to Wichita, where he attended Friends University, graduating with a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry.

He then accepted a position at Valley Center High School, where he taught for three years before moving to Moscow, Idaho, to attend the University of Idaho, and earning a M.A. in Aquatic Entomology in 1969. The family returned to Wichita, where he resumed his teaching career at Valley Center High School for one year before accepting a position in the Wichita Public School System at West High School. After teaching at West High School for two years, he moved the family back to Moscow, Idaho, to once again attend the University of Idaho, earning his PhD in Aquatic Entomology in 1975. He was employed as a biology instructor at Moscow High School for four years before returning to Kansas to be closer to family in 1979.

He taught chemistry and physics at Pratt High school from 1979 until retiring in 2000. During those years, he also taught chemistry classes at Pratt Community College and Adult Education Classes in Barber County, as well as being employed as a representative of Moorman’s Livestock Supplements, servicing the area farmers. He attended night classes at Northwestern Oklahoma State University earning an Administrative Degree in Secondary Education.

Bob also served as a part-time pastor in many area churches, both in Idaho and Pratt, for 40 years. HIs ministry also included music, with guitar and singing. After his retirement in 2000 he and his sons opened a small business, hydro testing of oxygen cylinders, which he operated for several years. During those years, he also provided full time daycare during the summer for four of his grandchildren. At the same time he was a substitute teacher at Skyline and Pratt for all grades. He found real joy in being a part of the lives of children, and his life as a teacher touched many. He will be remembered for this love.

Bob had numerous interests in life, including learning to pilot a plane, horseback riding, boating at the area lakes, exploring on his ATV and camping in the mountains of Colorado. He and Loree spent happy summers trail riding on horseback in the hills of Barber County with the Pratt Saddle Club. His favorite vacation spot was Cuchara, Colorado, where he enjoyed camping and hiking with his grandkids and other family members, and later exploring the mountain trails on his ATV with his family. Family time was very important to him.

Bob is survived by his wife, Loree, two sons, Marc Gilpin of rural Pratt; Matthew (Emily) Gilpin of Pratt; and one daughter, Marla Stark of Derby; one sister, Debra (Charles) Ridgway, of Lake Wabunsee, six grandchildren, Kaitlyn Stark (Stetson) Broce, Austin Gilpin, Kasey Gilpin, Kamryn Stark, Beau Gilpin and Emma Gilpin.

Bob is preceded in death by his father, Rex Gilpin; mother, June Gilpin; sister, Jana Gilpin-Burrough.

Private interment at Greenlawn Cemetary.