ROBERT ATKINS LIBBY
KIRKSVILLE, MO – Robert Atkins Libby, 76, of Kirksville MO, died unexpectedly in the loving arms of his wife, Kathleen Riley Libby, on April 20, 2015, at their condo in Sugar Camp, WI. He was born November 25, 1938 in Shelbina, MO, to Harry and Muriel Libby, who predeceased him.
Robert was an accomplished analytical chemist, as a research leader in Procter and Gamble at the Miami Valley Labs in Cincinnati, OH, at P&G Pharmaceuticals in Norwich, NY, and as a professor at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO.
While attending college, chemistry became his passion, and he married Betty Lou Ditmars. He received his PhD in analytical chemistry from Purdue University. Upon graduation, he was employed by the Stauffer Chemical Company in NY for a short while. Soon he joined Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their family grew to include two daughters, Lori Beth (Saleh Yousef) Libby, and Laina Kaye (Rick) Engel, and a son Michael Robert Libby. Life led Robert and Betty down separate paths, and the marriage ended. After several years, Robert met and married Kathleen Riley Kellish, in Norwich, NY. Kathleen and her three daughters, Karen (Joseph) Gaughan, Pam (Dan) Curns, and Kimberly (Scott) Demonte completed the new family.
After retiring from Procter and Gamble, Bob realized a dream to return to teaching, and in 1994 found his way back to his alma mater. After teaching for seven years, Robert retired in 2001. He was known as one of the “Teachers Who Shine”. He enjoyed sharing his experiences with senior chemistry majors to help them make decisions about their future careers. He was active in his church and community service organizations.
Throughout life, Robert maintained his faith, sense of humor, focus on others, and direct, no-nonsense approach to life.
His wife Kathleen Riley Libby, their six children, 9 grandchildren, brother Harry (Jan), and many cousins survive Robert.
Services were held on May 2, 2015 in Kirksville, MO. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131-3597 or the Frederick Rollins Community Shelter Workshop, Community Opportunities Inc., 1011 South Osteopathy, Kirksville, MO 63501.
When someone close to us is taken from us suddenly, the pain sometimes seems more than we can bear. And yet, with time, our memories grow more precious, and we come to realize that those we’ve loved live on within our hearts.