Robert Max Gaither

Robert Max Gaither Sr. passed away on November 16, 2013, at the age of 93. He was born August 9, 1920, the son of Mabel Brodbeck Gaither and John Warren Gaither. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Helen Marie Keeling Gaither, son Robert Max Gaither Jr., and daughters Charlotte Marie Gaither Adair (Bruce), Topeka, Kansas and Peggy Gaither Adams, Honolulu, Hawaii. He had five grandchildren: Lee Adair Geary, Jeffrey B. Adair (Elaine), Jennifer Adair, Diana Marie Gaither, and Robert Max Gaither III. He had four great-grandchildren: Matthew and Benjamin Adair, and Tyler and William Geary. He is also survived by his sister, Janice Gaither Crissman (Tom) of Great Bend, Kansas, and sister-in-law, Carola Karst Gaither of Wakeeney, Kansas. Max Gaither was born in Harper County, Kansas, and after age four he lived on a ranch in Trego County, Kansas, graduating from Trego County High School in 1938. He played four years of football at Washburn University, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. He joined the Army Air Force two weeks after Pearl Harbor and flew B-29s over Japan from the island of Saipan. During his final two missions, he delivered supplies to prisoners of war near Nagasaki and Tokyo. He flew over the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay as the final treaty ending World War II was being signed by General MacArthur and Hirohito of Japan. After the war, Max spent five years on the Gaither Ranch in Trego County, and then moved to Topeka to attend law school. He spent 52 years in Topeka working as a realtor and attorney, (playing some handball), and managing residential properties for many years. He was especially interested and active in supporting Washburn University and Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the Lions Club and the Elks Club. Services will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 1275 Boswell Ave, Topeka, Kansas. The visitation will be at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. Memorial contributions can be made to the Washburn University Foundation for athletic scholarships or to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Max says, "Have a good Life."

Robert Max Gaither

August 9, 1920 - November 19, 2013