Dr. Robert D. Couldry

Dr. Robert "Bob" D. Couldry 78, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 17, 1947 in St. Joseph, MO, son of the late Bertha "Babe" and Richardson Couldry. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Scott Couldry. Survivors include wife of 51 years, Patricia "Patty" Couldry of the home, son, Brian Couldry and wife Julie of Atlanta, MO, daughter, Jaime Grippando and husband Tom of St. Joseph, MO, brothers, Charles "Dick" (Alice) Couldry of Cole Camp, MO, and William "Bill" (Karen) Couldry of St. Joseph, MO, grandchildren: Dylan Couldry, Emily Fauver, Brianna Mackestey, Alexis Couldry, Natalie Collie, and Maddison Meeks, great grandchildren, Lennox, Riggins, and Emerson, and like a son, Shawn Collie.
Bob graduated from the Agency Junior High School May 1961, Faucett High School May 1965, received an Associates Degree in General Education from Missouri Western College May 1968, a Bachelors Degree from Missouri Western State College May 1971, Masters Degree from Northwest Missouri State University August 1974, Doctorate in Education from University of Missouri-Columbia May 1989.

Dr. Robert Couldry served for 51 years in public education, 31 years of those years in Education as teacher, coach, and building Principal. The remainder as the Superintendent of Schools at Buchanan County R-IV DeKalb, MO July 1984-June 1994, Superintendent of Schools at Mid-Buchanan R-V, Faucett, MO July 1994 -June 2001, Director Platte Valley Education Cooperative July 2001 -June 2021, Educational Specialists Degree from NWMSU July 1982. Professor at NWMSU in Educational Leadership Graduate School, and served as past President of the Northwest Missouri School Administrators Association 95-96, past President of the KCI Conference Administrators (twice) Past President of the Platte Valley Education Cooperative (four times) and was awarded Northwest District Outstanding Emeritus Educator in 2004, and MWSU Distinguished Alumni Award 112th, and served 20 years as Director of the Platte Valley Education Cooperative.

Lt. Colonel Robert Couldry proudly served with the Missouri Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing from February 1967 through Dec 2003 (36 Yrs. 3 months 2 days), (Officially 39 Yrs. 4 months, 8 days). He served as Commander of the 139th Aerial Port Squadron Served as Inspector General for the 139th Airlift Wing, a recruiter for United States Air Force Academy, and was the Selective Service System Registrar. Lt. Col. Couldry was awarded the following; Commander's Badge, Master Transportation Badge, Senior Aircraft Mechanic Badge, Basic Military Training Ribbon, 35 Year Ribbon with Gold Oak Cluster, Missouri Emergency Active Service Ribbon, Missouri Training Ribbon, Missouri Meritorious
Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, Missouri Conspicuous Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Gallantry Palm, Outstanding Marksmanship Ribbon with Star, Longevity Service Medal with Hour Glass, Reserves Forces Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Two Stars, Outstanding Unit Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Conspicuous Service Medal and Air Force Achievement Medal. Selected for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Officer Exchange Program in 1993, he also served as the past President of the Missouri National Guard Association 2002. In
February 2020 while at Ft. Sumpter he was selected to raise the flag during daily opening ceremonies, at the National Monument.
Bob had an extensive proud career in the Missouri Masonic Lodges, holding a vast amount of leadership positions, appointments and offices with all the Masonic Lodges A.F.&A.M., Scottish Rites, York Rite, and Moila Temple. He became a Scottish Rite Mason in 1977, raised a Master Mason in 1977, 32 Degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason-2007, served as Lt. Grand Commander in the KCCH Investiture 2009, Chief Rabban on Ritualistic Cast 2009 - 2015, Held 5 parts in the 9th through 14th Scottish Rite Reunion Degrees, served as Venerable Master in the 14th Degree of the Scottish Rite Reunion, director of the 14th Degree in the Scottish Rite Reunions, Created a Shriner in 1986 served as Past Commander Moila Legion of Honor 1993. He became a York Rite Mason in 1994. Past Central States Commander Legions of Honor 2000-2001. At the Moila Shrine he held the following positions: Potentate of Moila Shrine in 2006, member Cabiri International Past Potentates Association 2006-Present President of the Central States 2006 Potentates Counterparts (2006 - Present), Secretary & Treasurer of Past Potentates Association 2012-2015, Secretary/Treasurer Moila Past Potentate's Association 2009-2015. Moila Housing Chairman 2008 - 2017, Treasurer of Moila Shrine (2009-2013), and Historical Presenter for Moila's 125 Year Celebration 2013. He was a Committee member of Grand Lodge Ways & Means Committee 2013 -2016, Grand Lodge Audit Committee 2013 -2016, Grand Lodge Investment Committee 2013-2016, Harry Truman #212 Tall Cedars of Lebanon (Charter Member 2013) Chairman Grand Lodge Stewart-Smith Trust 2014 - 2018, Elected Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in Scottish Rite, in 2015 Charter President of the 7th District Masonic Club, in 2015 & 2016 he was the Chairman Grand Lodge Ways & Means Committee, Grand Chaplain of Grand Lodge, and the Camaxli of Potro Expreso #45 in 2015, Dean of Mochila Chapter of the DeMolay Legion of Honor 2016. He held numerous offices within the lodges such as; District Deputy Grand Master of the 7th Masonic District of Missouri 2017 & 2018 Past Master Savannah Lodge #71, Chaplain St. Joseph Lodge #78, Senior Warden @ North Star Lodge #157, Agency Lodge #10, King Hill Lodge #376 served as Past Master in 1994, Junior Warden @ North Star lodge # 157, Agency Lodge #10, Secretary @ Rushville Lodge #238 2021 - 2025, he was a past member of : Charity-Zeredetha Lodge #178 A.F. & A.M., Saxton Lodge #508 A.F. & A.M. St. Joseph Lodge #78, Endowed Member of Savannah Lodge #71, Moila Provost Guard, Moila Hillbillies, Order of Quetzalcoatl Potro Expreso #45Royal Order of Jesters Court #98, and was a member of Rushville Lodge #238, Peace Garden Lodge in North Dakota, Mochila Chapter DeMolay Legion of Honor, Royal Order of Beavers, International Association of Turtles Sandy Beach Division #2, Member of the Order of the Past Masters of Missouri, appointed Historian of Harry Truman #212 Tall Cedars of Lebanon 2016, Masonic Home Truman Club (2021 - Present), Moila Hot Sand Bugs Secretary 2001 through 2005 and 2007 through 2025, Moila Past Potentate's Association 2007-Present a life member of the Moila Legion of Honor, the Sojourners, Heroes of 1776. Never giving up on something to do he was the morning stocker and worked in customer assistance at Menards Jan 2020 - June 2021, he also was a parts delivery driver for Auto Zone 2021-2022.

Bob was a true leader in all aspects of his life as Doctor in Education, a Lt. Colonel in the Missouri Air National Guard, rising to the top post at the Moila Shrine, as Potentate, and serving as Masters of many Masonic lodges, numerous leadership and committee member positions. He was a voracious volunteer and evidently could never say, no. However he was most proud of his family, and his loving wife Patty. He will be sadly missed by all who new him. May he rest in peace.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday December 30, 2025 at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream; 10:00 am, Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at the Rupp Funeral Home, Rev. Jim Barnett Officiating, services will start with a Masonic Service, and finalize with Military honors. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to the Moila Shrine. Online condolence, obituary and public live stream at www.ruppfuneral.com.