Bob and Pat Lamb

(From Parker Mortuary)

Patricia Jean “Pat” Lamb, 89, of Joplin, passed away Monday, August 24, 2020, at Communities of Wildwood in Joplin. Patricia was born August 10, 1931, in Calhan, Colorado, to the union of the late Frank and Doris (Tyler) Kanuch. She was a 1950 graduate of Sherman County High School.

Robert Lewis “Bob” Lamb, 88, of Joplin, passed away Friday, August 28, 2020, at Communities of Wildwood in Joplin. Bob was born March 29, 1932, in Goodland, Kansas, to the union of the late Perl and Josephine (Cullin) Lamb. He was a 1950 graduate of Sherman County High School where he served as Class President. Bob was also a member of National Honor Society and played football and basketball for state wins. He was proudly active in Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

On September 6, 1953, Bob and Pat were united in marriage in Wheatridge, Colorado, and together they had two children, Nancy and David. 

Bob continued his education at Kansas University and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1955. He was also honored with a Professional Degree of Management in Engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla. During his collegiate career, Bob was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Tau and Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society.

Pat worked as a dedicated homemaker and served her community in many capacities, including Past President of LWMA and the Dorothea Hoover Historical Museum. She served on numerous local boards, including the Women’s Board at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club, Joplin Health and Welfare, Joplin Federated Republican Women, Spiva Center for the Arts, various community concerts and even served as a Girl Scout leader. In her spare time, Pat enjoyed oil painting, knitting and crocheting, playing golf, and her most favorite pastime – playing Bridge.

In January 1955, Bob joined Empire District Electric Company, working as an electrical engineer. A few months after his career began, Bob joined the Air Force and was stationed at the Arnold Engineer Development Center in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he worked alongside some of the top German scientists in the construction of wind tunnels for jet engine testing. He earned the rank of Captain before his honorable discharge in 1958. Bob then returned to Empire and worked his way up in rank. He was elected Vice President of Customer Services in October 1974 and Executive Vice President in January 1978. On June 1, 1982, Bob was elected President of Empire District Electric – a position he held until his retirement in March 1997 after a 50-year career.

Like Pat, Bob also served his community in various capacities during his career, including the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and Joplin United Way. He sat on the boards for the Joplin Industrial Development Authority, Joplin Business and Industrial Development Corporation, Mercy Regional Health Foundation, American Hospital Association’s National Congress of Hospital Governing Boards, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Missouri Southern Foundation, and Board of Regents of MSSU. Bob was also a pillar in the success of the Edison Electric Institute, the MOKAN Power Pool, Southwest Power Pool, and North American Reliability Council. He was recognized as Joplin’s Outstanding Citizen in 1987 and Outstanding Community Economic Development Leader for the State of Missouri in 1991.

Bob and Pat dedicated their lives to Christ and selflessly served their Immanuel Lutheran Church family for many decades. Both Bob and Pat taught Sunday School and enjoyed nothing more than helping others grow in their spiritual relationships. Bob served numerous times as Church President, served on Church Council, the Board of Elders, and worked as the Head of the Shepherds Program and Chairman of the Building Fund. Their unending love for their Lord and Savior has promised that they will always be together and never apart.

In addition to their parents, Bob and Pat were preceded in death by their son, David Lewis Lamb; and Pat’s sister, Carolyn Martin.

They are survived by their daughter, Nancy Conger, and her husband, John, of Joplin; seven grandchildren, Brandon Durham, Jerod Durham (Shanna), Kallie McGrew (Mike), Kristi Fuemmeler (Tim), Kara Lamb, Kaci Lamb and Samantha Daniels; 14 great-grandchildren, Parker Durham, Lilly Durham, Tori Durham, Nora Durham, Layla McGrew, Maisy McGrew, Ellie Fuemmeler, Graham Fuemmeler, Madyson Barber, Nakiya Lamb, Avery Jo Perkins, Kyson Perkins, Jayce Perkins and Malaky Lamb; Pat’s sisters, Peggy Bahe (Wilmer) and Charlene Jasperson (Jim); brother-in-law, Tom Martin; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

A joint funeral service will be held for Bob and Pat at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin with Pastor Gregory Mech officiating. Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Parker Mortuary, Joplin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.