Robert James Bland, 65, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the Gove County Medical Center, Quinter, Kansas. He was born June 4, 1955, in Quinter, Kansas, the only child of Clifford James and Theodora “Dora” Gertrude (Wessel) Bland.
He was raised on the family farm near Gove,
Kansas. When Robert was a freshman in High School, his father died. At
that time, Robert and his mother took over the farm and did all the
farming and added cattle. Robert attended Gove Grade School and
Wheatland High School graduating with the class of 1973. Following
graduation he attended Northwest Kansas Technical School for one year.
Robert was in Gove one weekend riding his motorcycle. His cousin
introduced him to Norma Gayle Rebarchek. They were married in Oakley,
Kansas on November 4, 1978 in the Wesleyan Church. They had two sons,
Clinton James and Dennis Lee and one daughter, Audrea Lynn Chappell.
They raised their children and made their home on the family farm south
of Gove where Robert lived his entire life apart from a few years
following high school.
Robert was a farmer and rancher. For many years, he spent his
summers hauling silage, both locally as well as far away as Texas,
making many friends and amassing many stories along the way. He
primarily spent his life farming and raising cattle. For many years
Robert worked the farm with his mother, and then by himself, and yet
later with the help of his wife and children. He took great pride in
his work and was especially proud of the gentle disposition of his herd
of cows.
Robert was a selective animal lover, he drew great joy from spending
time with his cow herd and was a lifelong dog lover, but he was
somewhat less affectionate of snakes and badgers. He enjoyed spending
time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren of whom he
was more proud of than anything, as well as listening to music of
varying eras and genres, and watching classic and western TV shows and
movies.
Robert leaves to mourn his wife Gayle of 42 years; three children,
Clinton Bland (Micki Shipley) of Hoxie, Kansas, Dennis Bland of Gove,
Kansas and daughter, Audrea Chappell of Hunington, West Virginia; three
grandchildren, Zoey Bland, Alexander Bland, and Isabelle Chappell; and
many friends.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Theodora Bland.
A visitation and rosary are planned for Tuesday, May 25, 2021
starting at 2:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 5:30 P.M. until
7:00 P.M. with the Rosary beginning at 7:00 P.M. all at Mickey-Leopold
Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on
Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Grain field,
Kansas at 10:00 A.M. Interment will immediately follow the service in
the Gove Cemetery, Gove, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to the Hoxie
Buckle Series and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO
Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Words of care and comfort may be left at
www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com
Robert was bound to the land from the day of his birth. He plowed
and harvested the fields, raised cattle, and loved and cherished his
family. He was gathered home to be with God far too soon. He will
forever live in the hearts of those who loved him. He would want you to
shed few tears and remember his love for all who live on.