![Remembering Longtime McPherson Business and Civic Leader Robert “Bob” Moore](https://www.adastraradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Robert-Bob-Moore.webp)
By Lucky Kidd
Robert “Bob” Moore, a longtime business and civic leader in McPherson, passed away Thursday at Pine Village in Moundridge. He was 80.
Moore was best known to the public as owner with his wife Lois of Sir Robert’s Restaurant and Catering and of “The Downtowner,” a cafeteria in McPherson, as a real estate broker and auctioneer, and for his two terms on the McPherson City Commission. But that is just the start of the impact Bob Moore had on the community.
Among that activity was 35 years of service on the All Schools Day Committee including serving as General Chairman in 1979. Moore was a past president and past chair of the McPherson Chamber of commerce, where he was involved with the Men’s Trip, Housing and McPherson Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee. He also Chaired Brush Ip Mac, and was a 2004 graduate of Leadership McPherson.
On a state level, Moore was a trustee of the Kansas Restaurant Association and served on the Kansas Commission on Travel and Tourism.
Another involvement of Bob Moore was in various Masonic orders, including McPherson Masonic Lodge 172, Isis Shrine Temple in Salina where he was part of the Camel Herders, Topless Travelers and Royal Order of Jesters along with being a past president of the McPherson Shrine Club.
Other organizations he was involved with include the McPherson Zoning Board, McPherson Optimist Club, Red Cross Board, McPherson Board of Realtors, the McPherson MLS Committee and as chair of the McPherson Landlords Association.
Born in Adams, Kansas, Moore graduated from Arlington High School and Hutchinson Junior College, following which he served in the United States Air Force, with overseas deployment in the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan. He was a life member of both American Legion Post 24 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715.
One other element of Bob Moore’s life story was a passion for classic cars, having had several which he restored during his life and for which he received numerous awards. A member of the Mac Area Cruisers, he was among the first students to go through McPherson College’s auto restoration program, and later would employ a number of students from that program to assist him with his projects.
Bob married Lois Ann Hermesch January 18, 1969, and enjoyed 55 years together, living in McPherson since 1970.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, February 7th from 5-7 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rosary to follow at 7. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church Thursday, February 8th at 10 AM, with burial with military honors to follow at McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials can be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shriners Hospitals for Children or the McPherson County Food Bank in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home in McPherson.