Robert S. Bricker
September 7, 1934 – December 31, 2023
Robert S. “Bob” Bricker, 89, of Pleasant Hill, passed away on Sunday, December 31, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City. Funeral services were held Friday, January 5, 2024, at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, with burial in Raymore Cemetery in Raymore. Memorial contributions can be made to the University of Missouri Livestock Judging Team or the Harrisonville Elks Lodge.
Bob was born September 7, 1934, to David Homer and Velma Pearl (Wilkin) Bricker in Kansas City. Bob grew up in Cass County, starting school at Judy Rural School No. 73, a school his grandfather helped build and at which his mother taught. He then went to Raymore schools for several years before graduating from Peculiar High School in 1952. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. While attending MIZZOU, he was on the Livestock Judging Team. Bob was united in marriage to Mary Lou Webb on July 21, 1956, in Peculiar.
After college, Bob went to work at the Kansas City Stockyards and later formed a partnership that became the Kansas City Livestock Commission Co. In 1971, he sold out and built Miami County Livestock Company in Paola, Kansas. In 1979, he participated in the World Livestock Auctioneer Contest in Brush, Colorado.
Bob was active in several organizations where he took a leadership role. He helped start the Belton Jaycees, where he served as President. He was a 50-year member of Belton-Grandview Masonic Lodge #450 in Belton, and a member of the Cass County Elks Lodge. Bob was active in the Missouri Cattleman’s Association, serving as President for two years from 1981 to 1983, and he was instrumental in merging the Missouri Cattleman’s Association with the Missouri Livestock Feeders Association into one organization. In August 1981, Bob was also instrumental in starting the Beef House at the Missouri State Fair. He was also a charter member of the National Cattleman’s Association and had served as Director from 1981 to 1983. Most of all, he was a lifelong Mizzou and Kansas City Chiefs fan. Hunting quail, geese, ducks, pheasant and deer were his lifetime hobbies.
Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, Dennis Woods Bricker and Gilbert Earl Bricker. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Lou; his daughter, Debi Walthall; his son, Steve (Cathy) Bricker; grandchildren: Charity (Ray) Rushly, Brian (Amber) Cronin, Cody (Jamie) Walthall, and Rachel (Clint) Ash; and 14 great-grandchildren.
