This story starts with the page of a Danbury phone book. It is a 1932 phonebook. We’re on the page where the names start with L. We’re looking for Starr Lathrop but we can’t find him. However, I do spot a familiar name! It is that of my Aunt Gert!
Probably Starr knew in his heart that a new-fangled contraption like a telephone would ever get catch on. So, the forward thinking one in the family, Aunt Gert, who would have been about 20 years old at this time, signed up for one of those crazy contraptions.
If you’d like to give her a call, her number is 2689. I also see my great grandfather Chas O’s number. Then, below Chas O and Miss Gertrude M Lathrop, I see a Robert Lathrop. Who the heck is he???
Well… He is Robert Alvin Lathrop, a younger brother of Starr’s. as you can see, he lived on Southern Boulevard. As you can’t see but you’re going to have to take my word for it, he was born on August 22, 1896 in Bethel, CT and died April 30, 1976 in Kansas City, MO. He was married to Hellen Elizabeth Murphey. (We could open up a whole entire new can of genealogical wax with her!!!)
Robert Alvin Lathrop moved to Kansas City shortly after this phone book came out. We know this because is son Robert Alvin “Bob” Lathrop, Jr was born there in 1935. Despite being 22 years younger than my father, he is first cousin to Edward J Lathrop and Aunt Gert and all the other Starr and Margaret Lathrop offspring.
So, what’s the story on this Robert Alvin Bob guy? For this answer, let’s let his obituary do the talking.
Robert Lathrop – Nephew of Starr Lathrop Obituary
“Robert “Bob” Lathrop, age 76, of Bucyrus, KS died April 4, 2011 at Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park, KS. He was born on August 27, 1934 in Danbury, Connecticut, the son of Robert Alvin and Helen Elizabeth Murphy Lathrop. He was married to Cecily McConnell on August 9, 1958 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Prairie Village, KS. They celebrated 52 wonderful years of marriage. Bob attended Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College graduating with a degree in business and also served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing cards with friends and anything to do with electronic technology, especially his IPAD.
After retiring he and his wife traveled around the country in their motor home and going to Mesa, Arizona staying at the View Point RV and Golf Resort. Bob was an avid fan of the KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Royals. Bob”s career in the food service industry spanned over 40 years and he was viewed as one of the most respected experts across the country by many companies and was employed at Lipton Tea, Continental Coffee, Sysco, PYA Monarch, Edward Don, Food Services of America, White Swan, and retired in 1995 as the President of Kraft Food Service Metro New York.
After his retirement from foodservice he and Cecily moved back home to Overland Park, KS and he worked for St Andrews Golf Course. In the most recent years Bob drove a school bus for the Blue Valley School District for special needs children.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Helen Mahoney. Survivors include his wife, Cecily, of the home; three sons, Tim Lathrop and wife Sherry, Overland Park, KS; Bob Lathrop and wife Kelly, Gold Canyon, AZ; and Pat Lathrop, Rogers, AR; one daughter, Kelly Ames and husband Roger, Stilwell, KS; two sisters, Joan Hamilton, Sunrise Beach, MO and Mary Stewart, Maineville, OH; nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Wea, 22779 Metcalf Road, Bucyrus, KS. The visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00.p.m. prior to the funeral mass at the church. Private burial in the Holy Rosary Cemetery. Memorials Contributions may be given to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church or to Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer www.SPOHNC.org.
Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church 22779 Metcalf Road Bucyrus, KS 66013
Service:
Saturday, April 09, 2011 12:00 PM
Visitation:
Saturday, April 09, 2011 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM”
R.I.P. My first cousin 1 X removed, Bob Lathrop – President of Kraft Food Services