Robert "Bob" Elliott

Bob died on March 17, 2026 at The California Care Center, following a brief illness. Throughout his life, Bob was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to a multitude of people and will be missed for his kindness, understanding, knowledge and bounteous spirit.

He was born on May 24, 1926 on a farm, between Latham and High Point, that Bob's great grandfather, William and his grandfather, Albert Gwinn had owned and worked. His parents were James Herman and Ethel Keziah Henry Elliott. They had 6 children: Florina Mae (Mrs. Floyd Strange) April 25, 1915, who had 3 children: James Everett, Joan Marian (Mrs. Dave Wachtelborn) and David Bruce; Ernest Elwood, September 30, 1919; Frances Lucile; April 21, 1921; William Nelson, December 29, 1924; Robert Henry and finally Marion Eugene, March 29, 1931.

Bob attended grade school at Pleasant Hill School between the home place and Latham, where he graduated from the 8th grade in 1939 and then graduated from California High School in 1944.

After graduation he briefly worked for Uncle Ernest Elliott on the wheat harvest in Sublette, Kansas.

Bob was drafted into the Army on October 3, 1944 and went to basic training at Fort Wolters Texas, training on machine guns and mortars. He shipped out to the Philippines in March 1945, landing at Leyte, Philippines and on April 8 he was moved to Luzon Island. They joined the 38th infantry division and went into combat in the hills east of Manila for 45 full days of intense fighting. At this time Bob was assigned to the medics and served as a litter bearer, carrying the wounded directly from the front to safety repeatedly, amid heavy shelling. Two weeks later he became squad leader of litter bearers. On September 2, 1945 war finally ended in the Pacific and thereafter he received on the job training, working with medical equipment and pharmaceuticals in the dispensary.

He was discharged July 28, 1946, but stayed in the reserves, during which time he transferred to the Air Force reserves. He was eventually drafted into the Korean War on June 11, 1950, but was discharged on June 11, 1951 before he could be sent oversees. During this time he was stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, working in the dispensary of the base hospital.

During his time at Scott Air Force Base, Bob Hope was scheduled to put on a show for the troops, although that day Bob was unfortunately scheduled to be in Charge of Quarters (CQ) at the dispensary, so he was unable to attend the show. Only he and a physician on call were unable to attend. Fortuitously, the physician received a call stating that Bob Hope had a sore throat prior to the show. The physician requested that Bob be the one to treat Mr. Hope with the iodine gargle that he had prescribed. Bob concocted the gargle and presented it to Mr. Hope, who was then able to perform that evening.

Bob went home to Latham and farmed for the next several years to the pleasure of his father.

In 1958 he got a job with Surge Dairy Equipment selling Surge milking systems for the next 5 years.

In 1963, looking for a change, he chose to attend a tech school for heavy equipment near Chicago. He trained on trucks, loaders and bulldozers and then applied at large construction companies, although wasn't offered a job. Bob therefore, decided to buy a dozer of his own and go to work for himself. His first project, with his first bulldozer, was to build a lake on his property (now identified as R Elliott Lake on Apple Maps!). During his 28-year tenure as a dozer owner/operator, he cleared land, moved earth and built terraces in the central Missouri area. He generously invited friends and customers to use his lake at their leisure, sharing the fruits of his pond: fish and joy. Until early February this year, Bob lived in the home that he had finished, near his lake, surrounded by woods and his cats!

Bob retired about 1990, but continued raising some cattle for a few more years. He bought a motor home in 1997, with the goal of visiting all contiguous 48 states. His first trip was in 1998 and then visited the remainder of the lower states on 3 subsequent trips. Traveling had been a great pleasure for Bob, meeting people and beholding our beautiful country.

He stated thereafter he "pretty much just took it easy," although he was a voracious reader of history and had great interest in genealogy. Anyone who has seen his bookshelves or has asked him about family history, has experienced his wealth of knowledge and information.

Bob was a long-time member of the Latham Christian Church, where he held many positions: as a board member, secretary, treasurer, deacon and elder. Wherever he went and whatever he did, Bob was loved.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at The Living Word Church 211 S. Oak St. California, MO 65018 with the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 AM with Minister Jim Randall officiating. Burial will follow at the California City Cemetery. Memorials in his name are suggested to the California City Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO.