Robert A. Bartel
COLUMBIA — Robert A. Bartel of Columbia died Thursday, March 3, 2011, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 87.
Mr. Bartel was born April 9, 1923, to August and Hattie Bartel.
He graduated from Union High School in 1941. Two years later, Mr. Bartel married his high school sweetheart, Marie Williams, on April 25, 1943.
He attended and played basketball for Hannibal-LaGrange College. In 1948, Mr. Bartel graduated salutatorian from William Jewell College. He obtained master's degrees from MU and Central Baptist Theological Seminary.
Mr. Bartel later served as pastor at Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church and Nashville Baptist Church and assistant pastor at First Baptist Church.
Mr. Bartel was the director of United Fund — now United Way — and held several administrative positions as a consultant for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
After 22 years, he retired as an executive field staff member from the American Kennel Club.
Mr. Bartel spent his last years teaching an adult Sunday school class. The students will be his pallbearers.
Mr. Bartel is survived by his wife, Marie; one brother, Mel, and his wife, Bernita, of Columbia; a son, Rob, and daughter, Susan, of Columbia; two grandsons, Zack of Portland, Ore., and Jake of Portland, Ore.; one granddaughter, Kate Kromann of St. Louis; and one great-granddaughter, Ellie Kromann.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church, 5350 Bonne Femme Church Road in Columbia. Services, officiated by Pastor Brian Ford, will follow at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church, 5350 E. Bonne Femme Church Road, Columbia, MO 65201.
