Robert John Clemens

Robert John Clemens, age 85, of Chanute, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Chanute, Kansas. Robert was born on January 19, 1931 in Archbald, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles Paul and Mary Angela (Philbin) Clemens. In June of 1961, Robert married Bonnie Carlson in Minneapolis, MN and they had three children together before divorcing in 1987. On April 15, 1989 he married Shirley Hosfelt in Chanute, KS who survives him at their home. Robert lived in Brooklyn from the ages of 7 to 16 and he attended St. Francis Xavier School in Manhattan, New York and then graduated from Central Catholic High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He then spent two years at Textile Institute, a college in Philadelphia, PA before getting a job at Bethlehem Steel. In January of 1950, he volunteered to serve with the United States Airforce where he served as a computer mechanic in Smoky Hill Airforce Base in Salina, KS and later was sent to Newfoundland, San Francisco, and Okinawa before being discharged in December of 1954. In 1958 he graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA and then got a job working as a Marketing Rep for Aetna Life Insurance. His job took him to many cities including Minneapolis, Omaha, and finally Wichita where he worked as an Agent’s Supervisor until his retirement in 1987. Robert spent his free time golfing. He loved to golf and had a collection of approx. 14,000 golf balls featuring various golf course logos on them. After his retirement he would play golf every day that the weather permitted, even in weather as cold as 30 degrees. He made 3 ‘Hole In Ones’ during his golfing career; the first one in Council Bluffs, Iowa and then two more on the Chanute Country Club course. He also enjoyed going to casinos. He was a member of the Chanute American Legion. Robert is survived by: Wife: Shirley Clemens of the home Children: Stephen Patrick Clemens, of Omaha, NE Christopher Robert Clemens of Omaha, NE Amy Anette Morrissey of Omaha, NE Step Sons: Michael Jay Hosfelt of Topeka, KS Steven Mitchell Hosfelt of Chanute, KS Sisters: Elizabeth Farell of Erie, PA Ann Burns of Allentown, PA Grandchildren: Myah Morrissey Grant Morrissey Katelin Ridder Samuel Hosfelt Dietrich Hosfelt Nichole Perkins Brandi Miller Brant Hosfelt 11 Great Grandchildren Robert was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Mary Margaret Spetland and Margaret Mary Olsen; and a brother: Paul Clemens. Cremation has been requested. A Celebration of Life will take place on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 1:30 PM at Countryside Funeral Home, Johnson Chapel. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Memorials have been suggested to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center Foundation and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.

Robert John Clemens

January 19, 1931 - July 21, 2016