Arthur Robert Gould

Arthur Robert “Bob” Gould of Stanley, Kansas went to his heavenly home on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the age of ninety-three. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a respected veteran, and a Christian.

Bob was born in Nickerson, Kansas on August 11, 1929, to Otis J. and Myrtle Gould. He worked on the family farm, yet from an early age dreamed of flying airplanes and traveling the world. His work ethic learned on the farm allowed him to succeed in realizing these dreams. In addition, Bob was a committed religious and family man who dedicated his life to worshiping the Lord and taking care of his family.

After graduating from Kansas State University, where Bob enrolled in ROTC, he joined the Air Force and throughout a twenty-year career advanced to the rank of Lt. Colonel. Bob was a reconnaissance pilot who served his country bravely in Korea and Viet Nam. During his career he flew several reconnaissance aircraft including the RF-80, RF-84, RF-86, and others. But his favorites were the RF-101C and the RF-4C.

Bob’s first military assignment was in Wichita, Kansas, 1951. Bob, who was new to the city, accepted an offer to go on a blind date with Marjorie Wiebe, and there was an immediate spark between the two. Their romance continued even though Bob, a young lieutenant, soon moved to Florida to begin pilot training. By Christmas of that year, the two were engaged, and they married shortly thereafter. The couple moved to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, where their first son, Richard Steven, was born in 1953. Bob’s next assignment was in Japan, where the family joined him. Their second son, Alan Robert, was born there in 1955 at a military hospital. After Japan, the family returned to Shaw AFB for another tour in the states where a daughter, Saundra Elaine, was born in 1957. The family accompanied Bob on other military assignments living in Okinawa, England, and Germany.

When Bob retired from military service in 1971, the family settled in Farmingdale, New Jersey. After a few years, they relocated to Overland Park, Kansas to be near aging family members. Family was a priority for Bob. When he was newly married and stationed in Japan, he and Marj took time to go on an extended trip throughout southeast Asia and India. When stationed in Europe, the family enjoyed visiting many cultural sites, camping trips in Scotland, and skiing trips in Austria. Bob and Marj were married for sixty-five years.  They lived in five U.S. states, visited all other states, lived in five countries, and visited thirty-five others. He was a devoted family man.

As a civilian, Bob worked for United Services Life Insurance Company, and then as an editor for Workbench Magazine. He was an interesting and capable man having varied interests ranging from cars—in particular, Porsches—to woodworking to photography. He was a member of the Porsche Club of America serving in several officer roles for the Kansas City Chapter and attending various events across the country. Bob was a deeply religious, devout man and was a proud member of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He and Marj particularly appreciated their Sunday School classes. He was a devoted supporter of Marj and her activities. This was no more evident than when Marj sang in church choirs, especially enjoying the domestic and international choir travels where he heard her concerts in Carnegie Hall, Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague.

Bob is survived by his children:  a son Richard and wife Charlene of Overland Park, a son Alan and person Nichol Clark of Santa Barbara, California, a daughter Saundra Breiby and husband Donald of Olathe; grandchildren:  Jennifer Greszler and husband Kevin of Austin, Texas, Megan Hardy and husband David of Overland Park, Kansas, Leanne Breiby and Sarah Breiby of Kansas City, Missouri, and Kaitlin Gould of New York City; six great-grandchildren:  Aimee and Evelyn Greszler and Mattingly, Micah, Meggie Jane, and Merrick Hardy; and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Gilmore of Newberg, Oregon plus numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, December 5 at the Wesley Covenant Chapel, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224. A reception will follow the service at 2pm with inurnment at 3:30pm at the same location. People wishing to honor Bob’s lifelong commitment serving God and his family and community can make donations to Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224.

Those familiar with Bob knew how much he admired the poem “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. Bob now “slipped the surly bonds of Earth” and has indeed “touched the face of God.”