Hollis Bob Arehart

Hollis Bob Arehart, 91, Olathe, died Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. Bob was born on July 13,1924 in Scotland County, MO to Troy and Zella (Parrish) Arehart. He was united in marriage with Evelyn Drake on June 1, 1947 in Kirksville, MO. They were married for over 60 years until Evelyn's death in 2007. Bob grew up on a farm near Gorin, Missouri and graduated from Gorin High School. He then proudly served in the army both during WWII and later in the Korean war. After graduating with a degree in Agriculture from the University of Missouri, he was employed by Staley Mills in Kansas City North and in subsequent years worked for Cockshutt Tractor Co, Allis Chalmers, Waddell and Reed, Columbian Securities and McCullough Construction in Garden City, KS, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, MO and Manhattan, KS, respectively. In 1970 Bob changed course and went to work for himself as a floor covering installer in Manhattan, continuing until his retirement in the early 1990's. He was a man of strong and admirable character: hard-working, diligent, creative and precise. His charming sense of humor along with a kind and pleasant countenance endeared him to those he encountered. He enjoyed woodworking, collecting antique still banks and tools, caring for his pets and doing yard work on his property. He was involved in multiple civic organizations during his working life and in the most recent years was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wamego and the Blackjack American Legion. He is survived by a son: Michael Arehart, (Mary Lynne Alberry) Omaha, NE; and a daughter: BJ (Ted) Williams, Olathe, KS; grandchildren Scott (Molly) Arehart, Omaha; Nathan (Emily) Williams, Denver CO; Abby Williams, Page, AZ; Mark Arehart, Seattle, WA; Jane Williams Davis (Kyle), St. George, KS; Peter Williams, Kansas City, MO; Cally Williams, Olathe; and great grandchild, Bradleigh Arehart, Minot, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife, a son, Steve, and daughter Trudy, his parents, and sister Helen Miller. A service including military honors to celebrate Bob's life will be held at 11 am, Saturday, November 7 at Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan Kansas. In addition, the family will host an open house and time of remembrance on Friday evening, November 6 from 7-9 pm at the Williams' home in Olathe. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to the Salvation Army, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547