Robert D. Patch

Robert Dean “Bobby” Patch, 91, of Sedalia, passed away Thursday, August 10, 2017, at Bothwell Regional Health Center.

He was born October 29, 1925, in Opolis, MO, son of John and Flossie (Smith) Patch. On April 8, 1982, he married Marlene B. (Summerskill) Collins.

Bobby served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War, II, earning the rank of Petty Officer First Class. He served aboard the USS San Francisco, stationed in the Aleutians, and was awarded three battle stars.

As a young man, Bobby worked in the coal mines. When he was sixteen, he played trumpet and saxophone with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.

He went to college to become a mechanical engineer. Then he worked for the Brunswick Corporation, designing and building bowling alleys. He was a very talented professional bowler and bowled under the name of “Bobby Talley.”

He was also a skilled pool player.

Later in life he worked in swimming pool construction, and then during retirement he worked as head of maintenance for Fair View Nursing Home.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Peggy Patch; Peggy’s mother, Virginia Patch; a stepson, Alex Collins and wife Brenda; a sister, Betty McCaffrey; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Bill Patch.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 16, at Heckart Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, with military honors by VFW Post 2591.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the family.