Robert L. Muchow

Robert Leonard Muchow went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, and wife, I.J., on October 23, 2015 while a resident at the Garden Terrace Nursing Home in Overland Park, Kansas at the age of 92. Always known as Bob, he was born March 25, 1923 in Hill City, Kansas. He was the son of Walter and Dea Muchow. Attending elementary school at St. John"s Lutheran in Topeka, Kansas and high school at Topeka High School, he went on to Kansas State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served during World War II from 1943 to 1946. During his tour of duty in the South Pacific, he was co-piloting a plane that was shot down by the Japanese. By God"s grace, he survived and was rescued by a U.S. Naval submarine. Bob remained in the Armed Forces Reserves until he was called up for Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas serving in the B36 Squadron. He was honorably discharged in 1955 as a 2nd Lieutenant. On August 22, 1947, Bob married Ila June (I. J.) Durr in Dighton, Kansas at the home of I. J."s parents, Delmar and Lena Durr. They were married for 62 years and lived in Paola until 2008. Bob and I.J. were the parents of four boys and two girls. Bob took advantage of the G.I. Bill after WWII and became a civil engineer. He worked for Cornelius Construction Company in Paola. He took a break from Paola when he enlisted with the U.S. Air Force for the Korean War. Later, he started a construction company with a partner then formed his own, Muchow Construction Company, in Paola. His company built and remodeled hospitals, schools and State government facilities across the state of Kansas as well as the First Lutheran Church and the Miami County Jail both in Paola. Bob"s passion was flying. He enjoyed it during his military career during World War II and the Korean War. He started flying private planes years later. He and I.J. would make their trips by his plane. He also enjoyed reading, golf, collecting stamps and coins. He was involved with his Church, First Lutheran, serving on the board and building their current worship center. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Dea Muchow, wife Ila June Muchow, and grandson John Muchow. He is survived by two sisters Thula Mae Duitsman of Leavenworth, Kansas and Mary Kay Stevenson of Hot Springs, Arkansas, four sons Doug Muchow of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Dan Muchow of Phoenix, Arizona, Don Muchow of Henderson, Nevada and David Muchow of Larned, Kansas, two daughters Jana Graber and her husband Neal Graber of Raymore, Missouri and Julie Koops and her husband Ben Koops of Raymore, Missouri, sixteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church or the American Legion Honor Guard in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. To leave a special memory of Robert or to leave condolences to the family of Robert please go to share memory tab. 1st Lutheran Church 401 E. Piankishaw St. Paola, Kansas Service: Saturday, November 07, 2015 at 11:00 AM Visitation: Friday, November 06, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM