Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home - Robert L. Muchow 1923 - 2015

In Loving Memory of

Robert L. Muchow

1923 - 2015

Services & Gatherings

Visitation:

Friday, November 06, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Penwell-Gabel - Paola Chapel
305 N Pearl
Paola, KS 66071
913-294-2372

Service:

Saturday, November 07, 2015 at 11:00 AM
1st Lutheran Church 401 E. Piankishaw St. Paola, Kansas

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.

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Memories & Condolences

I have gained much enjoyment in the times I spent with Uncle Bobby going through his WWII photos and memorabilia. He was a special person and I am fortunate to have had him in my life. He also had a real funny sense of humor. I wish I had been able to spend more time with him.

~ Viki Strand - November 8, 2015

I will always remember Bob as that quiet brother-in-law with a dry sense of humor. I always enjoyed being around him. I was 16 when they got married and he started calling me "lucky". I think he thought I had a lot of advantages being the youngest! And of course he was right as Bob usually was. Bob was a very good husband for and to my sister.
My thoughts and prayers have been and are with all of you. I'm sorry I can't be there for the celebration of his life, but I will be with you in spirit.
Love all of you and look forward to seeing you in June.

Lee

~ Lee Speer - November 5, 2015

I remember when I was about nine years old, my dad took me to Hays Kansas for their Centennial celebration. It was a special time because being the youngest of six children, I had never gone anywhere alone with my dad before that I can recall. I was fascinated with watching the combines separate the wheat from the chaff. But mostly, I eyed the young girls walking around in their long pioneer dresses looking like Laura Ingalls straight off the prairie. I begged and begged him to buy me one of those dresses but to no avail. He was always very frugal with his money and being the "baby" didn't rate in this instance. But he was generous and bought me a small warm loaf of bread made from that beautiful Kansas wheat. I nibbled on that loaf on the long ride back to Paola. I had never eaten anything so delicious as that homemade bread and soon forgot about that dress I wanted so bad.

~ Julie Koops - October 31, 2015

Doug and family,

I'm sorry that I am unable to attend the memorial service for your dad, but I do want to express my condolences to you and all of your family.

Bob and I.J. have been very special to me ever since the beginning of my ministry at First Lutheran, Paola. One of my first memories of them is the dinner that they had in their home for me and my son, Nathan. That is when he showed me the video of his WWII rescue by a submarine. I found that extremely fascinating.

I appreciated Bob's helpful advice while my house in Paola was being built.

It was a joy for me to be their pastor.

Pastor Jerry Peck

~ Jerry Peck - October 31, 2015

Jana and family,
So sorry for your loss. My prayers for you all at this difficult time.

~ Tom McCann - October 29, 2015

I remember taking walks to the neighborhood park with my grandpa when I was young. He was always so attentive to me when I was talking to him and he made me feel so important. He was soft spoken and kind. I always felt so safe and comfortable with him. ILY Grandpa.

~ Emily Koops - October 29, 2015

To the family , I am sorry you have lost your father. Until I read the obituary I forgot that he like to fly and I remember that he flew my mother up to Yankton South Dakota to attend parents day at my college. My father had to work at the funeral home so it was just my mother. It was a bitter cold day when they arrived. I had a red beard and hair down to my shoulders and he didn't recognize me.

~ Chad Wilson - October 27, 2015