Independence, MO: Robert Malcom Peters, 92, of Independence, Mo. was called to his heavenly home by our Lord on Wednesday, December 27, 2022 at Oak Ridge Assisted Living Center in Richmond, Mo. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 14th from 1pm to 3pm at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs, 5951 East Highway 10, Excelsior Springs, Mo. 64024.
Robert was born on August 11, 1930, in Cainsville, Missouri to Robert and Arlene (Booth) Peters. After graduation from Cainsville High School in 1949, he began employment in St. Joseph, Mo., with the Missouri State Highway Department (MSHD) in the Plans and Survey Department. In 1952, he was drafted into the US Army and earned his paratrooper wings at Fort Benning, Georgia. Prior to his deployment to the Korean War zone, his survey experience was noted resulting in his military occupational specialty being changed to Topographical
Surveyor. He was placed on a survey ship in the Philippine Islands and was tasked with mapping the island chain. He was discharged as a corporal in 1954 and returned to the MSHDsurvey department subsequently transferring to the downtown Kansas City, Mo. office. Robert advanced to the Engineering Department where he performed engineering inspections on highways and bridge construction in Kansas City and the surrounding areas for over forty years. His major construction inspection projects included the laying out the downtown interstate loop, construction of the I-435 and Heart of America bridges over the Missouri river and overseeing the state’s highway design and safety standards during the construction of the Bartle Hall Expansion. Robert enjoyed camping and hiking with his family in Estes Park, Colorado and snorkeling in the Caribbean. After retirement, he became a certified scuba diver. Robert enjoyed collecting and restoring vintage John Deere tractors and hit-and-miss engines. He was an avid tinkerer, known throughout his neighborhood as the “go to” guy to fix anything around the house. Pouring concrete was among his favorite things to do.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Phillip. He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and beloved wife of 66 years, Rosalie (Baker) Peters and children, James Peters (Melanie), Deborah Sobotka (Ed), and Tamarah Boysel (Chuck); five grandchildren, Nathan Peters, Jameson Peters, Kayleigh Wilkerson, Brandon Sobotka, and Matthew Sobotka; 11 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Brenda Peters, niece, Krisha Nible and nephew, Troy Peters.