Cover photo for Robert  W. Prothe's Obituary
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In Memory Of
Robert W. Prothe
1934 2015

Robert W. Prothe

September 7, 1934 — March 24, 2015

Robert William Prothe, 80 died March 24, 2015, surrounded by family. Bob was born on a farm east of Block on September 7, 1934, to Arthur William Prothe and Elva Maxine Overbeck Prothe. Bob grew up in the Block community. He graduated from Trinity Lutheran School at Block in 1948 and from Paola High School in 1952. He was a member of the Twin Valley 4-H Club growing up and took pride in showing cattle at the Miami County Fair each summer. He played on several Block baseball teams during and after high school. He enjoyed being a member of the Future Farmers of America while in high school. Bob was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was confirmed there in 1948. He served Trinity at various times as church treasurer, Sunday school superintendent, trustee, elder and head usher. He was married to Gladys Thoden on September 9, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church. They made their home south of Henson for 6 months until Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army on April 3, 1957, after which he spent time at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia, and then in Stuttgart, Germany, with the U.S. Infantry. Their son, James, was born during Bob"s service time and was 18 months old when Bob was honorably discharged to return to the States in 1959. Although one of his greatest loves was farming and his cattle, Bob also worked for various companies including Taylor Forge, Debrick Truck Line, Buchman Seed & Feed, and Latto Hillsdale Elevator. Before retiring in 1999, he was a heavy equipment and maintainer operator for Miami County. After his retirement he enjoyed checking on his cattle with his John Deere gator, helping his son with the hay baling, and fixing fence, while also being a daily attendee of the Fontana Elevator Club. He loved attending the sport activities of his son while Jim was growing up and served as coach and manager for several of Jim"s Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball teams. He was a project leader of the Twin Valley 4-H club and officer and member of the Aid Association for Lutherans local chapter at Trinity, as well as member and officer of the Block Ruritan club, the Paola American Legion, and the Valley Township Zoning Board. Bob loved being involved with his family and friends, especially with his son and daughter-in-law and his granddaughters and great grandchildren and their activities. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Elva Prothe and his in-laws Elmer and Myrtle Thoden. Bob is survived by his wife, Gladys, of 58 years; his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Sharon Prothe; granddaughters Christina (Bryan) Durham, and Megan Prothe; great grandchildren, Colby, Jaxon, and Ella Durham; sister, Patricia Peckman; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy (Thoden) and Wayne Riley; brother-in-law, Leslie Thoden; nieces and nephews, Heidi Thoden (Wes DeRosier), Brandi (Scott) Winkler, Alvin Thoden, Jill (Rick) Druse, David (Trina) Riley, Terri (Chuck) Weis; and a host of other family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. To share a memory of Robert or to leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the share memories tab. Trinity Lutheran Church Block Service: Friday, March 27, 2015 at 10:30 AM Visitation: Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

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