Robert F. Unruh

Robert F. (Bob) Unruh, 82, of McPherson, KS, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2014, at The Cedars. He was born on April 30, 1931, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Frank and Ada (Siebert) Unruh. He grew up in McPherson, Kansas, where he spent most of his life.

He attended McPherson schools and after graduating in May of 1950, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his discharge from active duty on February 14, 1953, he worked for an oil drilling company in Plainville, Kansas and a dry wall construction company in Fairbanks, Alaska. Upon returning to McPherson, he was united in marriage to Donna L. Duesberg on September 12, 1954, and began his career in the automotive body shop business, working for local automobile dealers. He opened Unruh and Son Body Shop in McPherson in 1974, retiring in 1993.

His love for restoring vintage pedal cars became a hobby and much enjoyment for him, continuing to restore his pedal cars until December of 2013. He was an avid pedal car collector and enjoyed his time searching for unrestored pedal cars, and over the years has accumulated a beautiful collection. He also had a love to share special ones with his son and two grandsons, who now have a special pedal car of their own from him. He enjoyed auctions and always looked for “the one pedal car he did not have” to bring home and restore.

Survivors are his loving wife, Donna (Babe) of the home; his loving son, Rick and wife, Lori, of McPherson, KS; loving grandsons, Corey Unruh and wife, Lauryn, and great-granddaughter, Collyns, of McPherson, KS and Brent Unruh and wife, Kim, and great-granddaughter, Korbin, of Hillsboro, KS; a brother, Jerry Unruh of McPherson, KS; nephews, Scott Unruh and son, Paden, Ron Unruh and wife, Pam, and sons, Nicholas and Chris, and family, Michael Unruh and family, Don Blunk and wife, Jenna, and family, Tim Unruh and family, Andy Unruh and family, all of McPherson, KS, Lee Unruh and family of Wichita, KS, and Alex Unruh and family of Goddard, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ada Unruh of McPherson, KS and brother, Ed Unruh and wife, Darlene, of McPherson, KS.

The graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the McPherson Cemetery with Rev. Dick Reynolds officiating. There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to McPherson County Humane Society in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert F. Unruh please visit our Sympathy Store.