Robert M. "Bob" Soph

Robert M. “Bob” Soph, 78, Ottawa, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. There will be no services per his request. He was born on Friday, Oct. 17, 1930, at Atchison to Armin Edward and Kathryne (Jones) Soph. He grew up in Atchison and after his military service, he moved to Warrensburg, Mo. He moved to Ottawa June 1956. He graduated from Atchison High School in 1948 and Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Mo., in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He was a part of the teams that set up early warning systems around the United States. He was a former member of the Ottawa Country Club. He worked as a sales representative for Lockwood Printing, Atchison, 41 years from 1956 until retiring in 1997. He called on courthouses for books, ledgers and later for voting machines and microfilming. He married Joyce McDowell Dec. 5, 1953, at St. Joseph, Mo. She survives of their home. Survivors also include sons, Christopher Edward Soph, and his wife, Debbie, Lawrence, and Kirby Evan Soph, and his wife, Susan, Ottawa; and grandchildren, Hayden Soph, Sara Soph and Andrew Soph. He was preceded in death by a brother, Armin E. Soph Jr.; and an infant daughter, Carrie Kathryne Soph. He has been cremated. His ashes will be scattered by his sons on a final fishing trip on the White River that he considered heaven on earth. Memorial contributions may be sent to Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter or Midland Hospice in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa KS 66067.