Robert (Bob) Leland Phelps, 96, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on the 26th of February, 2024, after suffering a fall. He was born on the 10th of July, 1927, in Springfield, Mo., to Otto and Alma (Lane) Phelps. Upon graduating from Springfield High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served his country until honorably discharged in 1946. Once his tour with the Navy was complete, he moved to Carthage, Mo., where he met Doris Evelyn (Dietz) Phelps, his wife of 58 years. They were married on the 1st of January, 1949, until her passing in 2007. 

Bob was a successful sales agent with NCR, earning many accolades for his work in the field. One of the highlights of his career at NCR, of which he was particularly proud, included being awarded salesperson of the year in 1967.

Bob harnessed many passions in life and was naturally inclined to stay busy and problem-solve; he could be found under the hood of one of his award-winning classic cars or tinkering with a delicate clock. While he was never short of projects, his dedication to family and community was his life work. 

In addition to his wife, Doris, and parents, Otto and Alma, he was preceded in death by his brothers Tom and Bill, his sisters Elloine and Betty, and eldest son Mike.

Bob is survived by his fiancé, Sharon Gragg, his daughter, Pam Lyman, and her husband, Doug, his son, Rick, and his wife, Donna, all of Springfield, Mo. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristi Knopinski and her husband, Jason of Denver, Colo., Brooke (Lyman) Glenn and her husband, Mike, Chris Phelps, and Jennifer Phelps, all of Springfield, Mo., Miranda Phelps and her partner John Lyons of Chicago, Il.; as well as his great-grandchildren, Jaxon Glenn, Anslei and Simon Knopinski; Haley, Noah and Luke Phelps; and Braxton and Brodie Keithley. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, the 4th of March, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Greenlawn Funeral Home East (3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, Mo.). Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery (3506 N. National Avenue, Springfield, Mo.). 

The family has asked that in place of flowers, donations be made to Tunnel to Towers.