Robert D. Raker

Robert (Bob) D. Raker of Overland Park, KS died at home on May 21, 2020. He was 75.

Bob was born on May 20, 1945 to Donald and Helen Raker in Brookings, SD. He was the older of 2 boys. The family moved to Sioux Falls, SD when he was 8. He was active in the First Lutheran Church youth activities as well as their choir as a soloist. His senior year of high school, Bob was chosen All State in Choir as well as Boys State (an honor for citizenship). He graduated from Washington High School in 1963. He attended South Dakota State University for his freshman year and then transferred to Augustana College where he graduated with a double major in Physics and Mathematics in 1967. He worked as a teaching assistant in the Physics labs his senior year.

Bob married Karen Matthaidess on June 25, 1967. Shortly after this he started his military career in the United States Air Force. He was stationed several places including Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM; Grand Forks AFB in ND; Offutt AFB for 2 tours in Omaha, NE; F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY; as well as the Pentagon in Washington DC. He retired on August 31, 1987 as an analytical studies officer in missile operations. His military career centered around nuclear weapons including the MX-Peacekeeper missile and their effects.

Bob and family moved to Derby, KS in 1988 when he started a new career with Boeing Military Aircraft. They moved to Renton, WA in 1991 where he worked at several different Boeing facilities finishing his 24 years in Airplane Certification. Bob retired again in 2011. They decided to relocate to Overland Park, KS at that time to be closer to their grandchildren. This started the next chapter of his life as a multiple sports enthusiast and part time babysitter. He and Karen learned how to decipher a Google calendar as well juggle grandchildren’s schedules to attend as many events as possible.

No matter where Bob & Karen lived, he was a member of various Lutheran Churches where he sang in their choirs often requested for solos. He was an avid reader and often when family was around would share his vast knowledge. Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Karen; children Andrea, Gretchen (and her husband Matt), and Joel (and his wife Andee); grandsons, Drew, Colton, and Greyson Black, and Mason and Axel Raker; as well as his younger brother James.

His celebration of life/funeral services will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family would like a donation given to any of the following charities: Samaritan purse, Tunnel to Towers, or Smoky Mountain Service Dog