Robert Paul Laptad, age 87 of Joplin, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. Born April 29, 1928 in Lawrence, KS, he was the son of the late Robert P. Laptad and Melba Mae Hamm Laptad. Bob graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence, KS in 1945 and was the class president. He lettered in football and track where a lifelong love of running began. He attended Kansas University, was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, he lettered in track and was named All-American on the K.U. Track Team. He competed in and won the 4 by 100 relay in the 1946 Big 6 Championship. He received his bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Wichita, now Wichita State University. Bob served in the U.S. Marine Corps from September 1947 to April 1948, where he was a competitive boxer while serving as a military policeman. He moved to Joplin in 1965 from Wichita, KS, as a district manager for Prudential Insurance Company and retired in 1989 with 34 years of service, having won numerous awards in sales and management. He became a Chartered Life Underwriter in 1981.
As a member of First United Methodist Church for 50 years, he served as an usher, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Administrator, on Administrative Council, and was a member of the Tri-M Class. His Christian faith was a lifelong influence on family and friends.
Being a lifetime athlete, he completed four marathons. Bob was an avid and devoted fan of all Missouri Southern sports attending as many events as he was able. He was a charter member of the MSSU Lionbackers. He made enduring friendships with many student athletes and was especially passionate about track and field. In 1997 the Spring Invitational was named for Bob and continues today as the Bill Williams/Bob Laptad Invitational. He was inducted into the MSSU Hall of Fame in 1999.
His community involvement included Joplin Kiwanis Club and the Roughnecks, American Legion, Christian Businessmen's Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and as board member and former president of Joplin YMCA. He served 27 years on the boards of Oak Hill Hospital and Freeman Hospital and was credited in 1999 for his efforts in the Oak Hill merger and formation of Freeman Health Systems.
He married Lois Elaine Lupton in 1953. She preceded him in death in 1975. His 5-year-old son, Joseph (Billy) Laptad passed away in 1974. His brother, Jack Laptad, also preceded him.
On May 5, 1978 he married Nancy Lindblom Hogue at Springdale, AR. She survives.
Additional survivors include three sons, Robert Layne Laptad of Webb City, Darren Gail Laptad and wife Kathy of Tulsa, OK, Robert Marshall Hogue and wife Lisa of Joplin; nine grandchildren; a sister, Irene Holmes of Fayetteville, AR; a brother, Dr. Richard Laptad of Wichita, KS; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. He treasured all the relationships he developed throughout his life and enjoyed maintaining those at every opportunity.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Bruce Jacobs officiating, after which, the family will receive friends.
Private interment will be in Osborne Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will also be at First United Methodist Church on Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to either First United Methodist Church at 501 West 4th St. Joplin, MO 64801 or the Bob Laptad Track Scholarship at MSSU Foundation (417 625 9396), or in care of Parker Mortuary.
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