Robert (Robin) Jackson Bethard, Jr. of Bucyrus, KS, passed away Monday, March 25th at home – just the way he wanted it. He did everything the way he wanted so death wouldn’t be any different. He did life HIS WAY all the way to the end.
Robin was born in Kansas City, KS on November 17, 1949, to his parents Robert Bethard, Sr and Alma. He graduated from Turner High School in 1967 and he left a legacy all around Kansas City, KS – some good and some bad! He was an ornery fellow and sure knew how to have fun.
Robin married Vicki Maybell on September 2, 1969. This union lasted almost 55 years. To this marriage were the births of their children, Sherri (1970) and Mark (1972). As a family, they enjoyed many weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks, taking spontaneous vacations and playing Monopoly (he ALWAYS had to be the dog - he and Sherri would sit for hours at a stalemate).
He built several houses all by himself, including their first family home in Bucyrus, KS where they moved in 1979. Many evenings were spent on 69 Highway back and forth with windows down in the car because he was smoking up front – no matter the temperature (when it was really cold we had a blanket in the back seat)! And never tell Dad you needed to go to the bathroom on a road trip – you were only going if he had to as well (unless Mom yelled at him enough to make him stop).
Robin fulfilled a few dreams he had in his life. One was to own his own business which he did very successfully. Louisburg Ready Mix, Inc. was opened in 1984. He built this concrete plant from the ground up out of old equipment. Robin employed his dad who shared his own many years of experience and also went on to include Mark in his business at the ripe age of 13. Robin’s work ethics came from his dad - you work hard and be fair and he demonstrated those traits all of his life. The other thing very important to him was his word. If he said he was doing it, he was absolutely doing it. If you said you were, you better be.
The other dream was to own an airplane and he accomplished that as well. He enjoyed his Piper Cherokee 140 and he and Vicki would fly locally to various locations having breakfast. Mark got his pilot’s license at 16 and flew his dad’s plane.
Robin was a generous man and if you ever got his BBQ ribs, you know you would get a lot of them - whether you were ready for a new batch or not! He loved to spend hours smoking meat and giving it all away. The original 20 acres he purchased in Bucyrus would eventually be deeded to Sherri and Mark each getting 3 acres. The county office told him he had to name it as it was technically considered a subdivision – he named it “Give Away Acres” because that’s what he did – gave it away to his kids!
Robin had a lot of loss in his younger years. His parents, Bob and Alma, preceded him in death in 1986 and 1982, respectively. He also lost 3 brothers – Roger (1971), Louie (1983) and Harold (1988). His sister, Bonnie, survives him. They had a lot of good years, a lot of good fights, and she even got him to marry her good friend, Vicki.
Robin is survived by Vicki, Sherri (Michael) Middlebusher and Mark (Jennifer) Bethard. He was a proud Papa to 6 grandkids: Tyler, Abbie, Blake, Kelsie, Tanner and Brady. He also had one great grandson, Asher.
An open house will be held on Saturday, April 13th from 1-3 pm. It will be held at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village KS 66207. He would be mad if he knew we were hosting this – but we’re doing this not “HIS WAY”.