Robert Earl Doherty

Robert “Bob” E. Doherty, 79 of rural Paola, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on February 9, 2025.

Bob was born on November 12, 1945, the first of five children to Earl D. and Pearl E. (Debrick) Doherty. Growing up on a farm North of Paola, Bob learned the value of hard work and developed a deep love for the outdoors from a young age.

After graduating from Paola High School, Bob proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In 1971 he began his career at Taylor Forge and worked his way up from a helper to Shift Forman and later Welding Lab Technician. He retired from there on June 30, 2011.

Bob married Kathleen Drymon in 1975 and together they shared many years of love, adventure. He spent the last couple of years as her caregiver as well as for his brother-in-law, Thomas Givler.

Bob may have aged, but you would never have known it. Even at 79, you’d routinely find him in a duck blind, sharpening his long-range shooting abilities, creating new ammunition loads for his best friends—the local coyotes. Machining “BD” gun barrels on his lathe, or working on his antique international tractor. Bob was a member of the Tri-County Rod & Gun Club; He and Kathy spent many weekends together at silhouette shooting matches. His skills took him to compete in an international shooting competition against other marksman from across the United States. Bob became a well-known and respected figure in that community.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his work ethic, his devotion to hunting and shooting sports, and his steadfast love for his wife, Kathy, and the life they built together.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Pearl E. Doherty; and his brother, John R. Doherty.

Bob is survived by his wife, Kathy R. Doherty, and his children: Joe (Angie) Doherty, Doug (Sheila) Doherty, and Patty Sittner. He is survived by his siblings: Richard (Julie) Doherty, sister-in-law Christie Doherty, and sisters Barbara (Rick) Wills, Kathy (Mark) Nelson and brother-in-law Tom Givler. His grandchildren: Jordan Casello, Dustin (Kara) Doherty, Allie Abshier, Cheyenne (Colby) Poff, Lily Sittner. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Keegan Doherty, Avery Doherty, Holden Doherty, and Warren Abshier. numerous cousins, extended family, dear friends, and his loyal four-legged friend Sophie.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Dengel & Son Mortuary-Paola Chapel beginning at 1:00 pm. Funeral service will follow beginning at 2:00 pm. Burial will take place at Paola Cemetery.