Robert Hartley Bryant

Dr. Bryant died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 10, 1925, in Coffeyville, the son of Paul Emerson and Mabelle Kathryn (Moss) Bryant.

Dr. Bryant attended school in Coffeyville. He completed undergraduate work at Coffeyville Community College, Eastern Kentucky State College and Kansas University. He received a doctorate in optometry from Northern Illinois College of Optometry. He practiced optometry in Fredonia from 1949 until he retired in 2001. He moved to Lawrence after he retired.

Dr. Bryant served as a U.S. Army staff sergeant in a battalion medical detachment during World War II in the Pacific.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Optometric Assn., Beta Sigma Kappa honorary fraternity and Kansas Optometric Assn. He was a charter member of the Fredonia chapter of Rotary International.

He married Doris Jean Dienst in 1946 in Lawrence. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Marianne “Mern” Wildcat, Lawrence, and Shelby Bryant, Chanute; two sisters, Eugenia Cathers, Chanute, and Rosemary Scimeca, Caney; and a grandson.

The family suggests memorials to Fredonia Animal Shelter, sent in care of Fredonia City Hall, 314 N. Seventh, Fredonia 66736, or sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

E-mail condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Bryant.