Bob Mitchell

(From Fohn Funeral Home)

Bob Mitchell passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on November 7, 2023, at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri. He was 94.

Bob was born in Cassville on July 15, 1929, to Leonard J. Mitchell and Kathryn (Ray) Mitchell. He graduated from Cassville High School and attended Southwest Missouri State for two years. 

Before the start of the Korean War, he was offered a job by Springfield industrialist John Q. Hammons, who had been his sixth grade basketball coach. Believing Uncle Sam needed his services more, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He married Anita Sue Brown on January 3, 1949.

Bob attended Great Lakes Naval Training Center Journalism School, followed by assignment to the Naval Commander Atlantic Fleet Headquarters in Norfolk, VA. During this early work in Navy public affairs, he accompanied Admiral W. H. P. Blandy to news conferences in Washington, D.C., and covered the rescue of the USS Missouri when she went aground off Hampton Rhoads, VA.

Bob was assigned a post in Key West, FL, where President Harry S. Truman vacationed at the Little White House. His duties included publishing a monthly newspaper, providing news releases on presidential visits and coordinating with the White House press corps. During press conferences, President Truman would often mention that “it was good to have someone from the ‘Show Me State’ in the room.”

As the Korean Conflict heated up, Bob was assigned to Japan and as part of his Far East orientation tasking, he interviewed the Japanese Empire’s Jersey Cow herd master, due, in part to his milking experience with the Mitchell family livestock.

Once in Korea, he was dispatched upriver toward Inchon and disembarked from the amphibious flagship USS Mt. McKinley, as General Douglas McArthur’s efforts proceeded to support United Nations forces in the south. After picking up the First Marine Division for transfer to Wonson, the ship neared the beach where a large banner read “Bob Hope Welcomes First Marine Division Ashore.” Bob joined his shipmates for the afternoon show. As the Amphibious Forces continued the mission, Bob provided press reports and photographs back to the U.S. that chronicled the situation, including information regarding a captured Russian MiG fighter jet. He accompanied Vice Admiral I.N. Kiland to the United Nations camp in Mun Son Ni for peace talks, where he witnessed a portion of the long-running negotiations to end the Korean Conflict. His Navy career ended in 1953, just 12 days short of four years. He returned to San Diego, to reunite with Sue. Once back in Barry County, Bob joined his Uncle Means Ray at The Cassville Democrat.

As newspaper editor for the next 42 years, Bob “covered Barry County like the morning dew” to bring the latest area news to readers of the Democrat every week and promote the community he loved. He covered countless civic, educational, sports, community events and business activities. 

In the late 1950s, Bob joined a group of local civic and business leaders in a campaign to overturn a federal decision not to build a bridge across the emerging Table Rock Lake at Shell Knob; their successful efforts resulted in the completion of the $3M Central Crossing Bridge. He was involved in the Cassville Industrial Development Corp., leading the group for 15 years. 

During that time, relationships with businesses were formed that brought new industries to Cassville, including Wells Aluminum, Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Co., FASCO Industries, Justin Boot Co. and varied other diverse firms. He was involved in the establishment of the Cassville Golf Club’s grass green course, the first of its kind to be constructed in Missouri under FmHA financing. He also helped to establish the Little Joe Lung Transplant Fund and subsequent scholarship program. He was a faithful member of the First Christian Church.

Active in local and state Democrat party politics during most of his long career, Bob participated in several liaisons with local and state government both as a citizen and a journalist. He served as an honorary Missouri National Guard Colonel in the inauguration events of two Missouri Democrat governors. He was a proud supporter throughout his life of many generations of Cassville Wildcat athletics, the Rotary Club, Boy Scout Troop 76 and the local, long-running, annual Hillbilly Golf tournament. He was a 70-contiguous year member of The American Legion.

After he and Sue sold the newspaper to Mike and Lisa Schlitzman in 1996, they enjoyed traveling through every state in the U.S., except Alaska, to enjoy the sights and to visit grandkids and friends.

Bob was an avid fisherman and walked many an Ozark mile hunting quail with friends, and traveling throughout Kansas and South Dakota, almost always accompanied by beloved English Setter companions.

In 2017, he was inducted into the Missouri Southern State University Media Hall of Fame. Months later, he was selected for induction into the Missouri Press Association’s Hall of Fame.

Bob is survived and will be greatly missed by son Bruce (Janice) of Colorado Springs, CO and daughter, Shelley Bartkoski (Dennis) of Leawood, KS; grandchildren who loved him as Pop; Sean Mitchell (Carrie), Lindsley Grebenik (Dole), Andrew Parsons, (Janna), and Carly Mitchell (Rob Sumner); nine great-grandchildren; nephew Stann Sutton (Beverly) of Tulsa OK, and Neely the cat. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 74 years, Anita Sue Mitchell.

Deferred Memorial Services in Cassville will be publicly announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to Community Foundation of the Ozarks or the Kansas City Hospice House.