MSG (Ret) Robert D. "Bob" Wait

Mr. Robert D. Wait, age 71, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2011. His battle with cancer was silent but valiant. Unable to rid its clinging arms in this world, he broke free to walk a new path of freedom. He lived for speed whether it was a car, truck or motorcycle. He beat us all to the Promise Land with a trail of memories boiling in the dust behind, settling gently here and there in our hearts and on our minds. Robert, better known as ‘Bob’ was born on February 10, 1940 in Des Moines, Iowa moving to Indiana during his childhood. After high school, he grew in skill as a tool die maker/machinist, a trade he learned from his grandfather. Living close to the famed Indianapolis Speedway, his love for fast cars also grew. In 1962 the U.S. Army was his initial choice for serving his country. With his beautiful bride, Corrine (Cookie) Wait, he traveled to France and was eventually stationed in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. Returning to the states, he and Cookie completed raising their five children in several states, finally settling in Waynesville, Missouri. After twenty-three years of faithful service; he retired as a Master Sergeant in 1983. Opening his own business locally in 1985, he soon expanded into the well-known ‘Roubidoux Vacuum and Small Engine which still operates today. His passion for public service led him to join all three area fire departments. What began as simple service soon became a lifestyle as he then went on to serve as a member of the Board of Directors to the Waynesville Rural Fire Protection District for fourteen and a half years with twelve of them as President. Bob loved his family, his friends, and his motorcycles, but the fire station in Waynesville will always echo with the jingle of keys in the door as Bob Wait let himself in once more. He is preceded in death by his mother, Jean Cowell and grandparents, Etta and Dale Wait. He is survived by his step-father George Cowell, wife Corrine (Cookie) Wait, children Tawn (Wait) Roddey and spouse Reece; Dale O. Wait; Robert G. Wait and spouse Lisa; Michell (Wait) Thomas; Lucinda (Wait) West and spouse Henry; Rueben D. Wait and spouse Maggie, 16 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. Graveside services with fireman and military honors were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2011 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery with Doug Cage, St. Robert Fire Chief, officiating. Serving as escorts were Dale, Robert and Rueben Wait, Reece Roddey, Assistant Chief Mike Shempert and CPT Greg Derheim. Waynesville Rural Fire Department provided the fireman honors consisting of Ringing of the Bell and the Last Call. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Robert D. Wait and may be left at the funeral home.

MSG (Ret) Robert D. "Bob" Wait

February 10, 1940 - November 24, 2011