December 14, 1936 – February 6, 2025
Robert Lawrence Kilp, 88, of Belton, MO, passed away on February 6, 2025, at Carnegie Village Assist- ed Living Facility. He and his wife, Judy, were long- time residents of Harri- sonville, MO. Robert was born December 14, 1936, to Edith Fay (Loyd) Kilp and Raymond G. Kilp, in Fort Scott, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy Kilp; brother, Jerry Kilp; and sisters, Rosalie (Walter) Pend- ery and Alma Landes. He is survived by his three children, Robin (John) Harwell, David (Tambie) Kilp, and Sarah (Tony) Welhoff; three grandchil- dren, Sadie Welhoff, Han- nah Welhoff (Matthew Bartlett), and Cassidy Harwell (Ben Smith); sib- lings, Jim (Mary Jo) Kilp, Steve (Debbie) Kilp, Mar- ilyn (Milt) Holl; and sis- ter-in-law, Cheryl Kilp; as well as nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers.
Robert graduated from Marshall Missouri High
School in 1954 and then joined the Navy. He was an aerographer on the Bat- tleship USS Iowa in the Mediterranean during the Korean War. He earned the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National De- fense Service Medal, and the Navy Europe Occu- pation Medal. After the Navy, Robert attended Central Missouri State College on the GI Bill where he earned a Bache- lor of Science in Agricul- ture.
He married Judy Wil- lems, also a fellow grad- uate of Marshall High School, in 1960. Robert spent the majority of his career at Bayer Agricul- tural Division where he was a Senior Technologist in Environmental Oper-
ations before retiring in 1997. After retirement, he worked at Country Creek Golf Course maintaining and repairing golf carts. He then became a Cass County Sheriff’s Auxil- iary Volunteer, working in the IT department for many years. Robert was honored as a firearms in- structor for the Police Academy of Warrensburg, MO.
Robert grew up on a farm in Miami, MO. He enjoyed fishing and hunt- ing doves and quail. He was an avid gardener. He enjoyed the fall family re- unions in Nevada, MO, to pick pecans and enjoy the bonfire.
A burial service with military honors was held on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the Missouri Vet- erans Cemetery in Hig- ginsville, MO, with the Reverend John Harwell officiating.
Funeral arrange- ments entrusted to Stew- art-Hoefer Funeral Home and online condolences may be made to the family at www.stewarthoeferfu- neralhome.com
