Robert Dewayne Vassar, 74, Garden City, MO, passed away in the early morning on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Lee's Summit, MO.  Funeral services were held May 9, 2018 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO with burial in Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, MO.

Robert was born August 27, 1943 to Kenneth and Lela (Sanders) Vassar in Mountain Grove, MO. He was raised in Mountain Grove, MO with four siblings, Twila, Theda, Donald, and Russell. He and his family later moved to Kansas City, KS where he graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1962. After graduation Robert went to work for the Rock Island Railroad and during this time is when he met his bride of 50 years, Linda Marie (Jones) Vassar. After meeting Linda in 1965 he joined the Air Force in 1966 and was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi for the next two years.

Robert and Linda were married in 1967 and later had four sons Tracy, Timothy, Ted, and Travis.   Their sons were raised the same way he was raised, active in farming. Robert began working for NOAA soon after active service for the Air Force. Although active service was over, Robert signed up for an additional 20 years of reserve service for his Country, until his retirement in 1984. Robert worked 13 more years for NOAA before retiring in 1997. One of Robert's proudest moments was the installation of all computer systems for the Pleasant Hill Weather Service office.

Robert and Linda made their life and raised their boys just outside of Garden City, MO. He worked hard as any father does and knew the ins and outs of just about any business he found himself in. While working his full-time job, he also ran the farming operation, Big Creek Produce, with his wife and four sons by his side. Farming always kept Robert going and even in his later years of life he loved to relive stories of growing up in Mountain Grove. He grew and raised everything under the sun from rabbits to zucchini with his biggest pride being the 80 head of Registered Angus Cattle he ran at his first farm, Twin Valley Angus Ranch, which he built from just a small herd. Later he would build his produce farm up to over 800 acres of home grown products selling to more than 50 stores and warehouses throughout Kansas and Missouri.

Husband, Father, Uncle, Grandfather, and Veteran, Bob did it all, including being a disk jockey for KLRS 1360 in Mountain Grove, MO, to coaching 8-year-old girls' softball. These are just some of his proud achievements, licensed pilot, honorary degree holder from the Future Farmers of America, lifetime member of the National Cattle Association, and a lifetime member of the American Angus Association.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Linda; children, Tracy and Kristina, Tim and Kristi, Ted and Shawna, and Travis and Joshalynn with 11 grandchildren, Preston, Justin, Mollee, Jacob, Meadow, Tucker, Kimber, Gunner, Jax, Tallon, and Kip.