Robert Hickam

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Robert E. Hickam, age 85, of Joplin, Mo. passed away at 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015 at Spring River Christian Village. 

Bob was born February 16, 1930 at home in Oronogo, Mo., to Earl and Merle Hickam. Bob grew up in Webb City and graduated from Webb City High School in 1948. He lettered in four sports and excelled in track, setting state and regional records. His senior year he was part of a two man track team Webb City sent to the state meet where he scored in four events and the team finished third. He attended the University of Missouri on a track scholarship. Among his favorite achievements was a 331 yard hole in one on the 8th hole of the old Schifferdecker Golf Course. Following graduation he served as a Lieutenant with the U. S. Air Force, mostly in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean War. In 1955 he began a 25 year career as a special agent with the FBI in Los Angeles, Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Joplin. His work in Arkansas included active involvement in the Little Rock Central High School desegregation conflict, and the racial atrocities in Mississippi. He was also involved in the direct investigation of many organized crime personalities who frequented Hot Springs at the time. He was an FBI instructor and taught hundreds of federal, state, and local law officers in firearms, defense tactics, and arrest procedures. He was an excellent marksman. Bob received numerous commendations from J. Edgar Hoover for his work. He retired from the FBI in 1980 and subsequently was a self- employed security consultant for 13 years, primarily for Eagle Picher in Missouri and Oklahoma.

Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Webb City and a former member of Briarbrook and Loma Linda Country Clubs. Bob enjoyed time with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, horse racing, golf, cheering the Missouri Tigers and he passionately followed the Webb City Cardinals.

Bob married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ferrell September 18, 1950 and she survives. Additional survivors include three sons, Scott Hickam and wife Sheila, Hot Springs, AR, Kyle Hickam and wife Jill, Webb City, and his third son and best friend, Jeff, of Webb City, one daughter, Susan Hickam, Ft. Smith, AR, one sister, Ann Storm, Webb City, six grandchildren’ Jordan Horner and husband John, Micah Willett and husband Taylor, Garth, Hayden, and Darby Hickam, and Reece Lee, two great grandchildren; Raegan and Harper Hickam, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bob was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Lea Hickam, and a brother, James R. Hickam.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel with Randy L. Wilson, Minister, officiating. Burial will follow at the Mt.Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. Monday at the Mortuary. Memorial contributions are requested to the Tri-County Cerebral Palsy Center of the American Heart Assoc. in care of the Mortuary. Honorable men and women Bob worked with at the F.B.I. will serve as honorary pallbearers and be seated as a group. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.