Robert J. Weeks
The second Bob of a long line of Bob’s left this world on August 8, 2009.
Robert Joe Weeks was born February 19, 1929 to Robert O. Weeks, a local shop owner on the reservation, and Mildred E. Weeks (Davis) in Quapaw, Oklahoma weighing 12 lbs. During the depression the family moved to Northwest Arkansas where he met his paternal grandfather who was an ominous figure sitting on the porch with a huge cat. The family then moved to Springfield Missouri where he attended Central High School and excelled at football becoming a star player. Nearing the end of WWII in 1946 Bob, in his senior year of high school, enlisted in the Army to be eligible for the GI bill and was sent to Korea with the 6th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged in 1948 and finished his senior year of high school.
During this year he met the love of his life, Betty S. Martin. They were married on May 10, 1949 and had their first child, Joe. August 19, 1950 he re-enlisted in the Army Reserves with the 106th Ord. based out of Springfield and was again sent to Korea. He was released from active duty June 6, 1952 remaining in the Army reserves and started working at the Federal Penitentiary in Springfield beginning his collegiate career at Drury College. He attended three different colleges playing football and working as a correctional officer during which time his second child, Karen, and third child, Robin, were born. In 1961 he graduated from Southwest Missouri State University, (now Missouri State University) with a BS degree in Biology and a minor in History. With this education he started working with the Center for Disease Control in Kansas City as a research microbiologist where he developed his love of fungi. He was extremely important in the research of histoplasmosis throughout his career with CDC. In 1965 he was honorably discharged from the military with the rank of Captain. He became a lifetime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Korean War Veterans Association, along with becoming an amateur ham radio operator. He retired from CDC August 3, 1985 and continued to enjoy life. He and Betty recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the American Legion Post 639 in Springfield.
Bob was a dedicated soldier, student, researcher, scientist, father, and protector. He knew that to succeed in the world that one needed to have as much education and training as possible. Bob did not judge a person on their level of education; he viewed you as the person he thought you could be and was willing to help anyone in their quest to better themselves. To Bob, how you acted in your life and how you treated other people meant more than words or education. He was a strong, quiet man who loved the water, trees, creatures, and, of course, his drink. Knowing the names of the type of trees, birds, plants, and animals in his environment and surrounding himself with books on these subjects he enjoyed every minute sitting on the boat dock, deck, and various porches watching the wildlife. When he sat inside he loved to watch football and read history books.
He is survived by a son, Joseph Weeks, two daughters, Robin Galiley and Karen Weeks, 2 nephews, Jack Deaton and Darrell Ball, a niece, Sherry Lewis, 5 grandchildren, Cricket (Crista) Owens, Bob (Robert) Weeks, Donald (not a Bob) Galiley, Bob Galiley, and Robin Crowe, 6 great-grandchildren, and many friends whose lives he touched.
Services will be held at Greenlawn South in Springfield MO. Visitation is 6-8 pm Wednesday, Aug. 12th and the memorial is at 10 am Thursday, Aug. 13th. The Patriot Guard will lead the procession to the Veterans Cemetery and Military Honors will be performed. Taps will be played by his grandson Donald Galiley.