Bob Dustman

Robert Hilbert “Bob” Dustman, 92, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, departed this life Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Jefferson Care Center in Lee’s Summit.

Bob was born in a bedroom above his father’s general store in Prarietown, Illinois, on June 30, 1933. He grew up there with his parents, Hilbert and Martha (Guesewelle) and sister, Arlene. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Prarietown, where he also attended their two-room school through the eighth grade.

After graduation from Edwardsville High School in 1951, Bob attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, where he was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order. It was there that a beautiful and shy Joyce Maret called him and asked him to escort her to the Alpha Delta Pi sorority Halloween dance. Exactly one year after the dance, they were united in Holy Matrimony on October 15, 1955, in Kansas City.

In 1955, following college graduation, Bob lost his military draft deferral and found himself a member of the United States Navy, stationed on the USS Douglas A Munro, a destroyer escort, based in Hawaii.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Bob and Joyce moved to Kansas City, where they started their family (Jami - 1958 and Greg - 1961). During this time, Bob began a long employment with retailer Montgomery Ward. He stayed with this company through a transfer to Springfield, Missouri, where the family lived for a year until they moved outside the city to Rogersville, Missouri. Bob left the retail world and began his own business as an independent accountant and income tax preparer.

Bob’s hobbies included golfing, fishing, reading about World War II, playing softball, tending his large garden, smoking ribs, and volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America with Troop 31 in Springfield. Among his highlights as an active scout leader, he organized two Treks to Philmont Scout Ranch, was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and was presented with a Lamb Award for distinguished service in both scouting and the Lutheran church.

Upon retirement, Bob and Joyce built a dream home in Lamar, Missouri, where they lived until the draw of grandchildren brought them to Lee’s Summit then to Pleasant Hill. Hannah and Rachel were the apples of Bob and Joyce’s eyes, and they were wonderful grandparents.

Bob and Joyce loved to travel, and some of their favorite destinations were back to Hawaii and throughout Europe, especially Germany. They were active members of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit where Bob served on the Board of Elders. In 2003, Bob also began his 20-year Special Assignment position on the broadcast media level of Kauffman Stadium with the Kansas City Royals. At the time of his retirement in 2023, at the age of 90, he was their oldest employee.

Bob is preceded in death by Joyce, his wife of 55 years in 2011, his daughter Jami Hede and sister Arlene Johnson.

Bob leaves behind a family he loved dearly, including his son and daughter-in-law Greg and Stephanie of Pleasant Hill, as well as granddaughters Hannah and her fiancé Peter Ingles of Overland Park, Kansas, and Rachel and her husband, Ryan Carpenter of Centerville, Utah.

Besides his biological family, Bob leaves many friends who became family to him, especially after the loss of his wife. This includes people from the congregation of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, the Kansas City Royals organization and members of VFW Post #3118.

Bob did not know a stranger, enjoyed being with people and loved to tell a good story. He will be missed by many.

Visitation was held Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the church. Pastors John Gruen and Devin Burmeister officiated. Graveside military services and interment were in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the United States Navy and the V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard.

Memorials in Bob’s honor are suggested to KC Hospice, VFW Post #3118, or Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550