Robert Butler

Robert W. Butler, a world-class husband and father, died June 12, 2020 at his home in Aberdeen Village, a retirement community in Olathe. He was 98 years old.

Born on Aug. 9, 1921 in Franklin, NE, Bob attended the University of Nebraska (he was a lifelong fan of Cornhusker sports and  a member of the Nebraska Alumni Association); after graduating with a degree in electrical engineering the Navy paid sponsored his further studies at Harvard, M.I.T. and Bowdoin College.

In World War II he served as radar officer on the U.S.S. Dayton in the Pacific.

While still in uniform he met and married Ardys Arlene Anderegg, a teacher from West Bend, IA. Their civilian life together began in Fort Wayne IN, where Bob worked for Farnsworth Electronics, operated by Philo Farnsworth, the inventor of television.

Shortly after the birth of their first child, Robert W. Butler Jr., the family moved to to Roeland Park KS.  For nearly 20 years Bob worked for the Bendix Corporation as a quality control engineer for projects sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission. As such he witnessed a nuclear test in the Nevada desert.

While in Roeland Park the family expanded to include son Richard L. Butler and daughter Janet Mary Butler.

In 1955 the Butlers moved to Prairie Village, where he served as president of the homes association in 1958-59. In 1969  the family relocated to the Fort Lauderdale area, where he was employed by Milgo Electronics; Bob and Ardys returned to Kansas City in 1974 when he took a job as a quality control specialist with the Allis-Chalmers plant in Independence.

Bob was a member of several professional groups, including the American Society for Quality Control and the Electrical and Electronics Engineers; he often delivered technical papers at their local, regional and national meetings.

While working and raising a family Bob found time to earn an MA in Business from the University of Missouri.

In retirement Bob and Ardys devoted themselves to their grandchildren, travel and charitable works. During these years he was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, tutored grade schoolers in the Shawnee Mission District, and stocked shelves at the food bank run by Village Presbyterian Church.

He was an usher and a deacon of the church, and studied to be a Stephens Minister who counseled and comforted fellow church members. With Ardys he often manned the Renaissance Festival booth operated by the church’s printmaking guild.

With Ardys death in 1998 Bob moved to Aberdeen Village, where he served as president of the resident’s council, prepared income tax returns for his fellow residents, and passed out his homemade banana bread and summer sausage.

He is survived by his three children: Robert W. Butler Jr., (and daughter-in-law Ellen Butler) of Fairway KS;  Richard L. Butler (and daughter-in-law Margo Butler) of Parkland, FL and Janet Burnight (and son-in-law Adam Burnight) of Austin TX.

Bob had  six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Blair Butler (and wife Alison Anthony) of Sherman Oaks CA; Adam Burnight (and wife Tricia Burnight and sons Bates, Walker and John Burnight) of Rogers AR; Kendra Burnight of Austin TX;  Robert V. Butler (and wife Michelle Butler and their son Robert V. Butler II) of Chandler AZ; Kathryn Butler of Scottsdale AZ; and Richard V. Butler (and wife Leanne Butler and their sons Bradley and Benjamin) of Coral Springs, FL.

When Bob passed Leanne Butler was expecting his seventh great-grandchild.

The family suggests contributions to the Good Samaritan Program at Aberdeen Village, 17500 W 119th St., Olathe KS 66061.

For additional information about Bob and his life, please visit his son’s web site at butlerscinemascene.com.