Bob A. Libby

Robert Atkins Libby

Robert Atkins Libby, 76, of Kirksville MO, died unexpectedly in the loving arms of his wife, Kathleen Riley Libby, on April 20, 2015, at their condo in Sugar Camp, Wisconsin. He was born November 25, 1938 in Shelbina, MO to June and Muriel Libby, who predeceased him.

Robert was an accomplished analytical chemist, as a research leader in Procter and Gamble at Cincinnati OH and Norwich NY, and as a professor at Truman State University in Kirksville MO.

Bob was proud of his family heritage, adding his own addendum to his mother’s family history to bring it up-to-date, and made sure all cousins received copies. He never forgot his early years in Shelbina, where he graduated from high school in 1956.

While attending college at Kirksville, he was voted the yearbook king his senior year. Chemistry became his passion, and after marrying Betty Lou Ditmars, they set off for graduate work at Purdue University where he received his PhD in analytical chemistry. Upon graduation, they moved to New York. After a short while, he became employed by Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their family grew to include two daughters, Lori Beth Libby Yousef and husband Saleh and Laina Kaye Engel and husband Rick, and a son Michael Robert Libby. Life led Robert and Betty down separate paths, and the marriage ended. After several years, Robert met and married Kathleen Riley Kellish. Kathleen and her three daughters, Karen Gaughan and husband Joseph, Pam Curns and husband Dan, and Kimberly Demonte and husband Scott completed the family.

After retiring from Procter and Gamble, Bob realized a dream to return to teaching, and found his way back to Kirksville in 1994. While he was completing his reenrollment into academia, Kathleen was putting her real estate background to work and they found a home outside of Kirksville on Spring Lake. Many family gatherings were held there and memories abound.

After teaching for seven years, Robert retired in 2001. He was known as one of the “Teachers Who Shine”. He enjoyed sharing his experiences with senior chemistry majors to help them make decisions about their future careers. Retirement afforded Bob and Kathleen the opportunity to spend time at their condo in northern Wisconsin, their adopted state and home. He was active in his church and community service organizations.

Challenges arose when Robert was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008, and when back problems necessitated major surgery in 2012. Through it all, Robert maintained his faith, sense of humor, focus on others, and direct, no-nonsense approach to life.

Kathleen, their above-mentioned children, 9 grandchildren, brother Harry, sister-in-law Jan, and many cousins survive Robert.


A visitation will take place on Friday, May 1, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. beginning with the Masonic ceremony at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville MO. Service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 1:00 p.m.

Rather than flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131-3597 or the Frederick Rollins Community Shelter Workshop, Community Opportunities Inc., 1011 South Osteopathy, Kirksville, MO 63501.

When someone close to us is taken from us suddenly, the pain sometimes seems more than we can bear. And yet, with time, our memories grow more precious, and we come to realize that those we’ve loved live on within our hearts.
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 East Shepherd Avenue
Kirksville, MO