Robert E. “Bob” Lear, Sr., age 93, of Lincoln, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Missouri.
Bob was born May 19, 1933, in Wheatland, Missouri, the son of Ernest and Mabel (Miller) Lear. A gifted student, he attended Urbana High School and graduated as salutatorian at the remarkable age of 15 on May 12, 1949. Following high school, he attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, where he earned his teaching certificate. Bob began his career in education, teaching grades one through eight, at Owsley School and Ross Creek School for a total of five years.
Throughout his life, Bob was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic. He owned and operated the skating rink in Warsaw before being inducted into the United States Army, where he proudly served for eighteen months in Korea. Following his military service, he continued to pursue various business ventures and worked for many years as a contractor building countless homes and subdivisions in Benton County. In 1959, Bob transformed the Diamond Roll Arena into the Rendezvous Club, creating a popular gathering place for the community. His love of music and entertainment later inspired him to pen Uncle Bob's Truman Lake Opry in May of 1986, where he welcomed countless performers and patrons through the years.
On January 1, 1964, Bob was united in marriage to Shirley Johnson. Together they built a loving home and shared 62 years of marriage, living in Warsaw and Lincoln.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Lear; three brothers, Ernest Guy Lear, Bill Lear, and Harold Lear; and a grandson, Joshua Duncan.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley Lear, of the home; three children, Deborah Newman and husband Bill of Stover, Missouri, Rob Lear and wife Stephanie of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Renea Peters of Grain Valley, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Kitty Lear of Independence, Missouri; a brother, Donald Wayne Lear of Cross Timbers, Missouri; two sisters, Delores Banning of Manhattan, Kansas, and Betty Johnston of Buckner, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Michael Lear, Jr., Mark Lear, Christopher Lear, David Duncan, Shaun Duncan, Beta Lear, Rheanna Lear, Shelby Lear, Madelyn Peters, and Lauren Peters; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild: numerous other relatives; and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Davis-Miller Funeral Home in Lincoln, Missouri. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Graveside services and military honors will follow at Shawnee Cemetery in Warsaw, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Timbers Cemetery, c/o Davis-Miller Funeral Home, 119 W. Main Street, Lincoln, Missouri 65338.
