Robert L. Madl

Robert L. (Bob) Madl passed away October 6, 2013, at the age of 94 years at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after a week’s illness. The week was filled with joyous visits from family and many good friends.
Bob was born August 8, 1919, the third son and sixth of nine children of Joseph F. Madl, Jr. and Barbara (Hadl) Madl. He grew up on his parent’s farm near Vinland, Kansas, where he graduated from Vinland High School in 1937. In 1940 he entered the United States Navy to serve his country in World War II, attaining the rank of Gunner’s Mate. After an honorable discharge, he was united in marriage with JoAnn Merchant on October 20, 1943, in Lawrence, Ks. She preceded him in death March 23, 2006. Their union was blessed with three sons, Ronald, Duayne, and Rickie, all who survive.
With JoAnn and his sons, he operated a dairy, stock cattle and crop farm south of Baldwin City from 1943. Along with his father and brothers Ralph and Arthur, he operated the Madl Implement Company (the Baldwin City Allis Chalmers dealership) from1943 until 1965 where he enjoyed meeting new people and talking with good friends. In 1977, Bob won the national championship in the non-irrigated division of Project 10,000, a grain sorghum growing contest sponsored by the producers of Funk’s G-Hybrids. At that time, he milked 25 Holsteins and fed and pastured another 150 stock cows.
A life-long Catholic, Bob served the Annunciation Catholic Church by mowing the grounds for many years, contributing to building programs, and supporting fundraising activities with the gift of a steer for a raffle prize.
Bob was renowned for his memory and encyclopedic knowledge of the people he knew in Douglas, Franklin, and surrounding counties. If he was acquainted with anyone, he knew where they lived, whom they married, how many children they had, and whom the children married. He also knew the dates of significant events for all these people. In August 2011, after suffering a knee injury, Bob move to Vintage Park in Ottawa, Kansas and later transferred to Baldwin City Vintage Park.
He is survived by sisters Vivian Clark and Barbara Jean Evilsizor, both of Lawrence; his sons, Ronald of Manhattan, and his wife Linda; Duayne of Lake Quivira; Rickie of Baldwin City; five grandchildren, Lori Ann, Ft Myers, Fl.; Cary Ann, of Topeka; Adam Joseph (A.J.) of Lawrence; Nicholas, of Kansas City, Mo.; and Mitchell of Baldwin City. He is preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Catherine Madl, Mildred Butell, Marian Madl; three brothers Ralph, Arthur, and Alois Madl. A rosary will be said at 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at Annunciation Catholic Church, Baldwin City; followed by a visitation until 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Baldwin City following the service.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery fund(of Annunciation Catholic Church) c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, 712 Ninth Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com. Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.