Robert Earl Dick

Robert Earl (Bob) Dick, 92, of Tecumseh, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born on December 29, 1933, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of William and Alverine (Tibbitts) Dick. Bob graduated from Highland Park High School in 1952, where he thrived in wood shop, metal shop, auto mechanics and football, and, as he would say, somehow survived his other classes. He served on the Student Council, participated in H-Club, and led the Builders' Club. He worked from a young age, budding peonies, harvesting melons and hauling potatoes. During his senior year of high school, he began working a full-time night job with Watson Brothers Trucking, the beginning of a lifelong career.

Growing up, Bob enjoyed fishing and hunting — particularly with his best friend, Charlie Slater — and playing summer baseball.

In 1944, at the tender age of 10, Bob met the love of his life, Laura Marie Arnett. From fourth grade, they grew up as neighbors on "The Hill," began going steady as sophomores, and were married on September 7, 1952, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Topeka. They enjoyed more than 73 years as husband and wife and together raised three daughters, Rebecca, Diane and Lucinda.

Bob grew up attending East Side Baptist Church in Topeka, where he accepted Christ as a young boy. For many years, he and Laura have been faithful members of Tecumseh United Methodist Church, where the left back pew was known to be their spot.

Throughout his life, Bob was a truck driver for Watson Bros., Riss & Co., P.I.E. and Ryder Truck Line, safely driving over 3 million miles. He retired in 1988.

Shortly after retirement, Bob was instrumental in establishing the Local 696 Teamsters Union Retirees organization and served as an officer for many years. The organization continues to serve Teamster retirees.

As a father of three girls, Bob coached softball for many years and eventually became an avid spectator of any sport his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids chose to play or coach — football, baseball, basketball, volleyball — even soccer if necessary!

Bob made sure his young family experienced many of the wonders and sights the continent had to offer by planning vacations across the United States. He even fulfilled his dream of seeing Alaska while on a Holland America cruise to watch his granddaughter dance on the Zaandam. A much-loved and frequent vacation choice, however, was camping and boating with a group of lifelong multi-generational friends.

Bob was an avid dirt-track racing fan. In his younger years, he tried his hand at the sport alongside his brother-in-law, Pete Kesinger. He later worked on the pit crew — “setting up” the cars — for a modified race team and, later, a winged sprint car team. After leaving the pits, he spent many years as a fan in the stands with his brother, Jack, and other longtime racing friends. The success those teams enjoyed led to many other drivers inviting him to join their teams, even as late as the past year.

Bob loved nothing more than having his family and friends near, where his frequent and distinctive laugh could be heard even before he was seen.

However, you didn’t have to be family to know Bob’s compassion and generosity. With anyone he met, if he knew he could fill a need, he would without hesitation. Providing furniture to a young, low-income couple, gifting a car to his barber, repairing cars and mowers at no charge, remodeling houses, loaning a motor home to friends while they rebuilt their home destroyed by fire, and managing a friend’s machine shop while he recovered from a serious medical condition were just some of the many acts of kindness and generosity Bob freely offered. Not to mention the countless moves — of daughters, grandkids, nieces and nephews and others — that were made possible by Bob’s trucks, moving blankets and willingness to help. He quietly showed God’s love by fulfilling those needs, asking nothing in return.

Survivors include his loving wife, Laura Dick; three daughters, Becky Henry (Mike), Diane Malloy and Cindy Hollingsworth; brother, Jack Dick (Ann); and sister-in-law, Kay Dick. Also surviving are his beloved grandchildren: James Henry, Pete Henry; Heather Martens (Jeff), Gian Malloy-Njagi (John), Michael Malloy (Lauren), Amanda Cox (Paul); Leann Krier (Tony) and Brian Hollingsworth (Jalysa). For more than 18 years, Bob felt blessed to also have the title of great-grandfather, ultimately to 19 of them. There are also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom Bob loved.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean Kesinger and brother-in-law, Pete Kesinger; brother, Jerry Dick; and son-in-law, Mike Malloy.

He will be missed by so many.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 23, 2026, at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place immediately following the service at West Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Live streaming of the service will begin 15 minutes before service time. To register to watch the funeral service, please click the following link: Robert Dick Funeral Service Livestream

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Tecumseh United Methodist Church, PO Box 5, Tecumseh, KS 66542-0005.