Robert Lee Armstrong

Funeral services for Robert Lee Armstrong, 90, Topeka, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel in Topeka with Masonic services by Topeka Masonic Lodge 17, A.F.&A.M. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka.Mr. Armstrong died Sunday, May 18, 2008.He was born Aug. 31, 1917, in Bartlesville, Okla., the son of Lester Lee and Emma Louise Hamm Armstrong. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University. Mr. Armstrong served in the U.S. Army Band playing in the U.S. Bond Tour during World War II. He worked for Santa Fe Railroad for more than 30 years before he retired. He later worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation for 10 years.He was a former member of First Christian Church in Topeka and Oakland Christian Church, and was a member of West Side Christian Church. He was a member of Topeka Lodge 17, A.F.&A.M. and Arab Shrine, where he played in the Arab Shrine Band and served as band librarian. Mr. Armstrong was a member and past watchman of the Shepherds of Trinity Shrine 7 of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Topeka. He was a member of Fidelity Shrine 11 in Lawrence, a member and past knight commander of the Ancient Toltec Rite, a member and past patron of Topeka Chapter 462 and Loyal Chapter 176, both of the Order of Eastern Star, and a member of Helena Chapter 210.He was a musician and played in the Matt Betton Band, Santa Fe Band, Marshall’s Band, Topeka Jazz Workshop and many other local dance bands.Mr. Armstrong married Margaret Leslie Collins on Feb. 16, 1947, in Olathe. She survives, of the home. Other survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Waechter, Whiting; a son, Myron, Topeka; two sisters, Dorothy Bereman, Wichita, and Geraldine Bagby, Joplin, Mo.; a brother, Thomas Armstrong, Florida; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.Friends may call after 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.The family suggests memorials to Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals, sent in care of Arab Shrine Temple, 1302 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612 or the KSU Music Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be sent at www.penwellgabel.com.