Robert Marihugh

Robert Allan Marihugh was born Feb. 13, 1932, at Beloit, Kan., and was the only living child of Lloyd William and Margie Enola (Ormsbee) Marihugh.

Robert attended grade school at Esbon, Odessa and Dentonia, and attended high school at Esbon and Smith Center, where he graduated in May of 1950.

On Jan. 6, 1951, Robert joined the United States Air Force and served as a clerk typist until he was honorably discharged on Dec. 21, 1953.

Robert was joined in marriage to Esther Joy Warner on Dec. 21, 1952. This union was blessed with two boys, Lloyd Irl born Dec. 2, 1953, and Bruce Elliott, born Dec. 2, 1957. Lloyd Irl and wife, Deborah Dickson had three children – Joshua Michael, Matthew Christian and Kristen Elizabeth.

Robert graduated from the University of Kansas on Aug. 10, 1962, with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and secondary major in chemistry. Robert then graduated from Fort Hays State College in the spring of 1970 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. He went on to obtain his FAA airframe and power plant license from the Kansas Technical Institute in Salina on May 21, 1982, so he could repair his plane that he enjoyed flying. Robert graduated from the Reynaldo G. Garza School of Law in 1991, where he received his L.L.B. (Bachelors of Law) degree. All told, Robert earned 357 college credit hours!

Robert developed his farm near Downs, for irrigation and farmed his Odessa farm, and his farms near Esbon and in Cora Township, along with teaching from 1958 to 1986 in Oak Creek, Solomon Rapids, Downs, Topeka, Esbon, Lebanon, Donna, Texas, La Villa and Valley View, Texas, along with a stint at South Texas Community College.

On March 3, 1983, Robert and Paula Pat (Manley) of Lebanon, Kan., were united in marriage. The new couple stayed many winters at their home in Alamo, Texas, which Robert had built. Paula became ill in May 2001, and was admitted to the McAllen Regional Hospital on June 30, 2001, and was later transferred to the Salina Hospital, where she died of cancer on July 16, 2001.

Following Paula's death, Robert would spend his winters in Texas, and his summers in Kansas. Robert returned to Mankato in April of 2017, and stayed the remainder of his life at Jewell County Hospital Long Term Care. Robert developed Parkinson's Disease, and he died July 31, 2021, at the age of 89 years, 5 months, and 18 days.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Margie in 1996; father, Lloyd in 2004; first wife, Esther in 1971; second wife, Paula in 2001; and daughter-in-law, Carol Ann Marihugh.

Robert is survived by his sons, Lloyd "Earl" Marihugh and his wife, Debbie, and son, Bruce Marihugh; grandchildren, Tierra, Sherna, Haley, Cienthia, Rylee and Grace; his extended family, neighbors, and many friends.

His graveside service was held at 10 a.m., Monday, August 9, at the Odessa Cemetery, rural Esbon. Military honors were presented by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, McConnell Air Force Base.

Memorials are requested to Solomon Valley Hospice or the Jewell Co. Hospital, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Melby Mortuary of Mankato assisted the family with arrangements, http://www.melbymortuary.com