Robert Matthias Noll, Jr.

Robert Matthias Noll, Jr.

Robert Matthias Noll, Jr. was born in Atchison, Kan., on Jan. 30, 1926, and departed this life on Dec. 14, 2024, a month short of his 99th birthday.

His great-grandfather Matt Noll was a wagonmaker in Weston, Mo., and his grandfather and father were pharmacists in Atchison. His mother, Ida Becker Noll, was a golfer and taught her husband Bob to drive a car in the 1920s. Bob graduated from Atchison High School, served in the U.S. Navy at the close of WWII, and met his wife Sue Crabb at the University of Kansas. Sue and Bob lived in Fort Scott for nearly 40 years where he owned a downtown clothing store, Nineteen South.

After Sue’s death in 1988, he moved to Overland Park. Bob loved Sue, their children Matt and Lisa, the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who arrived over the years to gladden his life, and many friends near and far.

Bob loved bright colors, flowers, gardens, dancing, theater (especially musicals with lots of dancing), needlepointing, hosting and going to parties, music (especially the English jazz singer Cleo Laine) and chocolate. He loved to travel and often made lasting friendships with people he met during years of journeys all over the world. He especially loved the central highland city of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico where he went to escape cold Kansas winters.

Bob was never one to worry much about anything. On his way to hospice a few days before his death he remarked, "I really don't know what to expect. I've never been dead before." May we all have such a spirit of adventure.

Bob will be missed by his son Matt Noll of Fort Scott, daughter Lisa Noll of Colorado Springs, their spouses, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and his companion of many years Joanie Sherman.

A service took place Dec. 18 at St. Peter & All Saints Episcopal Church. Memorial gifts are suggested to the church, 100 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64114. Obituary and remembrances at Legacy.com.