Robert H. Pruitt

Robert H. Pruitt

Topeka, Kan.

Robert H. Pruitt, 98, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2014. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be deeply missed.

Growing up one of nine children during the Depression in Decatur, he dropped out of school in the eighth grade to support his family. He married the love of his life, Estelle, in 1937 and moved to Topeka during World War II, where he worked on the top secret Norden bombsite and train flight crews with the 333rd Bombardment Group at Topeka Army Airfield, now Forbes Field. Later, he owned a furniture store and then an appliance repair business, Pruitt Appliance Service.

A longtime elder at Quivira Heights Church of Christ, Robert helped build the church and its congregation. While running a full-time business, he also was a professional photographer and accomplished wood worker, and he could fix anything mechanical.

Most of all, Robert loved his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife in 2013 after spending 76 years together.

He is survived by his sister, Catherine Marie Watkins of Decatur; daughter, Sharon (Steve) Ink of San Jose, Calif.; son Don (Barb) of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren, Brian (Megan) Ink, Bethany Ink and Wes Powell; and great-granddaughters, Cameron and Austyn Ink.

Robert will be at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Funeral service will be Friday, August 15, at 10 a.m. at Quivira Heights Church of Christ, Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Quivira Heights Church of Christ or Topeka Presbyterian Manor.

To leave the family a special message, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Decatur Daily.