Robert Charles Metzker, 57, passed away on Oct. 13, 2021, at his home in Ness City, surrounded by his wife, mother, and children, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Rob was born on Dec. 23, 1963, in Boulder, Colo., the son of Robert F. and Helen (Prose) Metzker.
He went to grade school and high school in Boulder and graduated a year early from Fairview High School in 1982, due to the school allowing night classes. Rob moved to a farm south of Beeler, Kan., to help his grandmother with farming, as his grandfather had passed away the prior year.
Rob enjoyed living in the quiet community so much that he decided to stay and make a living by farming, raising cattle, building fences, and helping other farmers in the community. Rob met Donna (Koerner) Hembree in 1984 in Ness City and began their life together and raised her three children. They were married on July 24, 1999.
Robert could do anything and there were no challenges that he wouldn’t take on. He incorporated his father’s love of math and science and his grandparent’s ability for invention, to direct his path. He bought and sold antiques, and he built and remodeled houses. These projects led him on to rebuilding old historic architectural buildings and some historical projects for the State of Kansas at Fort Riley and the Swedish Pavilion in Lindsborg. He also worked on many churches of all denominations, rebuilding the stained-glass windows and steeples. He was well known for his knowledge and expertise in window restoration.
As times changed and church finances changed, Rob had to change as well. He decided to follow a lifelong dream of drilling water wells for farmers to help them find water. Rob was a professional water witcher and a certified water well driller for the State of Kansas. Rob continued with his profession until his health started to decline with a rare and aggressive type of cancer. His passion and desire was to never give up, however, after a long battle with various chemotherapy treatments and surgery, he succumbed to this cancer.
Robert is survived by his wife, Donna of 22 years; his mother, Helen Hanks of Dighton; two sons, Derek Hembree of Long Beach, Calif., and Ryan Hembree and his wife, Andrea, of Blanchard, Okla.; one daughter, Jennifer Howard and her husband, Nathan, of Ellis; four grandchildren, Evan, Abbygail, and Isabella Hembree and Bennett Howard; and one sister, Rebecca Hansen and her husband, Brian, of Boulder, Colo.
Rob was preceded in death by his father, Robert F. Metzker and stepfather, Elmer Joe Hanks.
His funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Sacred Heart Church, Ness City. The Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, also at the church, followed by the parish vigil at 7 p.m. Viewing will be at Fitzgerald Funeral Home from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart School, Sacred Heart Cemetery all of Ness City and the Hospice of the Prairie, Dodge City.