Robert L Gotway, Sr 78, Independence, MO, passed away June 21st, 2021 surrounded by family and loved ones.

No formal ceremony will be held at this time, but a celebration of life will be held this Fall in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Contact Robert Jr on Facebook or Facebook Messenger for details and to share any photos, memories, and stories.

He leaves this world to be with his grandson, mother, father, and sister, Caleb, Jewell, Albert, and Carol. He was born in East Alton, Illinois before moving to Independence, Missouri where he graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1962. After briefly serving our country in the Marine Corps, he worked as a stone mason building missile silo in West Central Missouri. As a career man at the Lake City Plant, he worked there for 30 years prior to retirement. Bob was a fun loving, fearless, energetic man whose wit, humor, and love touched everyone that he encountered. As a young man, he loved riding motorcycles with his group of friends. Like the famous Paul Bunyan, Bob was larger than life to many who knew him well. He would tell stories of unreal events in his life, only to be validated by others who witnesses such.  There are so many memories with family and friends. His father, a professional photographer, traveled with the family throughout the Midwest setting up shop taking family photos. They even traveled to the Keys in Florida to visit family and managed to produce incredible family portraits as well. Many Saturday afternoons and evenings were spent during social gatherings with family and friends at his mother’s house and sister’s house. His cousins and mutual friends held numerous gatherings as well. Throughout the years, he loved watching football with family and friends. One would have to reserve a seat or risk sitting on the floor or standing. Win or lose, he always backed the Chief’s.  As the years passed, he outlived many of his Sunday crew. As the Sunday crowd dwindled, he started golfing with his family and friends.

He will be missed dearly by so many. He missed becoming a great grandfather by one week. He leaves behind his son and daughter in-law, Bob Jr and Melisa of Palm Coast, Florida, his grandson and wife Nolan and Felecia Gotway, of Lee’s Summit, his granddaughter and husband, Chloe and Anthony Chiarelli, of Palm Coast, Florida, his brother in-law, Roger Clymer, his nephew and wife Stephen and Zaklina Bailey and their children, his nephew Bill Clymer and his children, his niece Susie Clymer and numerous beloved relatives. 

He didn’t solve the Rubik’s cube or invent a cure for cancer, but he showed us that living cool is easy and easy living is cool. And no one else lived quite like him!

To honor him, he would demand that you live life YOUR way as he did!

Arrangements:  Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO   816-796-8600