Robert Kratschmer Obituary

Robert Lester Kratschmer Robert Lester Kratschmer, 105, of Kansas City, MO, passed away August 4, 2018. He was predeceased by his brothers Norman and Frank, his wife Marjorie (nee Tyree), and his daughter-in-law Gretchen van Horn. He is survived by his children Eric Kratschmer, Randy Kratschmer and partner Mary Bruno, and Robin Kratschmer, and step-daughters Paulette Davis and husband Roy and their children Penny and Julie, and Charlotte Robertson and her husband Fred and their children John and Mary, and many nieces and their extended families. A memorial service will be announced when arrangements are completed. Bob was born in Kansas City, MO, on July 2, 1913, into a world which had never known a world war, where heavier than air flight was not yet 10 years old, and commercial television was more than 30 years in the future. He survived the Spanish flu and grew up chasing horse drawn fire engines and dreaming of becoming a cowboy, a lifelong ambition. During the first half of his lifetime he saw two world wars, the rise of television, and the invention of the electronic computer; the second half saw mankind set foot on the moon, the invention of cell phones, and the creation of PCs and the internet. At age 103 he spoke with his son via Facetime. Bob graduated from East High School and attended Kansas University for one year but left to take care of his family upon his father's death. He enlisted in the Army in June, 1942, and served in WWII as a forward observer with the 147th Field Artillery, 158th Regimental Combat Team, making a beach head landing on the island of Noemfoor in Papua New Guinea on his 31st birthday. He went on to serve in the Philippines and later in the occupation of Japan, mustering out as a Captain in 1946. He married Melba McClanahan in 1946 and they had 3 children, Eric, Randy, and Robin. They divorced and Bob married Marjorie in 1967 and they remained together until her death in 1994. During his lifetime he worked as an engraver with Burger Baird Engraving, and as a commercial artist and later Vice President of the art department of Bruce B Brewer Advertising, both in Kansas City. He and Marjorie lived for several years at the Lake of The Ozarks running a gift shop and selling real estate before moving back to the Kansas City area and settling in Grandview. He started his own advertising firm, Three Flights Up, with a partner and ran it until retiring for good in his early eighties. He continued living in Grandview until age 94 when he sold his house and moved to an assisted living facility. Bob's extended family was a constant support to him. Those in Kansas City, Paula Davis (Roy), and his nieces Bonnie Downs (Bob), Patricia Thomas (Jerry), and Ellen Meyers (Kevin) would frequently stop by to visit or take him to BBQs and family events. The more distant nieces Jan McArthur (Steve) and Carol McDonald (Eden) would call, remember him with cards, and visit when in town. His grandchildren, Penny and Julie, and John and Mary, were always in his mind. As Bob's health declined in the last two years of his life, his great grandnephew Bryar Schmill was indispensable in helping Randy to provide 24x7 care. The family would like to acknowledge the care and many kindnesses provided by the nursing staff, Faitha, Cheri, Migan and others at the assisted living facility, the caregivers of Elder Care of Kansas City, and Hospice Partners. Their attention and obvious affection for him contributed greatly to the quality of his life.

Published by Kansas City Star on Aug. 12, 2018.
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ken nichols

November 12, 2018

ken nichols

November 12, 2018

ken nichols

November 12, 2018

ken nichols

November 12, 2018

Sharing a message I put on my Facebook page... We very much enjoyed meeting Mr. Kratschmer. --- Bob Kratschmer - East of Town, that was the inscription on the back of a photo that I found after my grandfather, Lawrence Kreissler, died in 2006. I immediately became curious about this man pictured in an Army uniform next to my grandfather near his home in Appleton City MO and about how they knew each other during WWII. Maybe, I thought, if Mr. Kratschmer was still alive he would be able to give us some insight into the portions of my grandfather's war record that he avoided? Five years later I was fortunate enough to locate Mr. Kratschmer in Kansas City and my aunt, Kristine Parks, and I spent an afternoon visiting with him. We found him to be a very kind man with an amazing memory and a powerful story of his service during WWII. While he wasn't able to solve the mystery of my grandfather's service, he did share some very wonderful stories of their time together at Jefferson Barracks during basic training.
Captain Kratschmer passed away this past August at the age of 105. During WWII, he was a forward observer with the 147th Field Artillery, 158th Regimental Combat Team, making a beach head landing on the island of Noemfoor in Papua New Guinea on his 31st birthday. He went on to serve in the Philippines and later in the occupation of Japan.
RIP Bob. Thanks for your service and for sharing your story. --- Ken Nichols [email protected]

Ken Nichols

November 12, 2018

Rhonda

August 21, 2018

Ray Seidelman

August 15, 2018

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