Frank E. Royer, 90, of Lake Waukomis, MO, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2016 at the Kansas City, MO Veterans Administration Hospital after a short illness. Appropriately, this was the very hospital Frank volunteered his services to for the last 28 years. The family is hosting an open-house remembrance of Frank at the Parkville, MO VFW Post 7356, where he was a lifelong member, on Saturday, January 30, 2016, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Frank was born February 22, 1925 in Kansas City, MO and is survived by his wife Bernadette Royer of 49 years and their six children, son Craig Royer (Kathy), daughter Leslie (Royer) Henderson, step-sons Ron Wassenaar (Celeste) and Wayne Wassenaar (Donna), step-daughters Barbara Wassenaar and Carolen (Wassenaar) Tharp (Randall), nine grandchildren, Monica Royer, Jennifer Royer, Christopher Fulbright (Saundra), Camren Nowak (Eric), Michael Wassenaar (Jennifer), Aaron Wassenaar (Hope), Richard Wassenaar, Rachel Tharp, Samuel Tharp and three great-grandchildren, Ethan Hawn, Andrew Wassenaar and Aliza Wassenaar.
After college, Frank worked for 30 years at the General Motors Fairfax plant in Kansas City, KS until his retirement in 1980. Frank maintained a very active life throughout his retirement, traveling and vacationing in almost every state, plus made trips to Europe and Canada. Frank was a real adventurer. He also discovered running after retiring, competitively competing in many KC area races over the years, including a marathon. Frank loved running and is thought to be the only person to have competed in the first 25 Groundhog Runs. His other pastimes were snow skiing and fishing. Frank was also very active in his Lake Waukomis community, where he volunteered countless hours for many causes, including a stint as Captain of the Lake Waukomis Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to the VA Hospital, Frank also volunteered his services to St. Luke’s Northland Hospital for the last 16 years.
Frank proudly served his country during WWII. He joined the US Army in 1943 at 18 years old, eventually becoming part of the 2nd Infantry Division, 9th Infantry Regiment, Rifle Company K. After landing on French shores during the French Normandy Campaign in the summer of 1944 and helping to liberate French cities that were key German strongholds, Frank and his Rifle Company K fought and were captured by the Germans on December 18, 1944 in the Battle of the Bulge. He was one of only a handful of soldiers who survived, spending the last six months of WWII in a German prisoner-of-war camp before being freed after the Germans surrendered to the Allies in May 1945. For his actions, Frank earned two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Knight of the French Legion of Honor medal and many other awards.
In addition to the Parkville VFW Post 7356, Frank was also a proud lifetime member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization, Heart of America Chapter, Kansas City, MO, where he also was Past Chapter Commander, the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, The Military Order of the Purple Heart and Disabled American Veterans, respectively.
VFW Post 7356, 10125 MO Highway 45 (Tom Watson Parkway), Parkville, MO 64152. The Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville, MO has been entrusted with final arrangements. Memories of Frank and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
I knew Frank at the VA on Tuesdays. A great man and a WWII, POW and a Hero.
My condolences for his family. He will be missed, as he was wonderful to work with and his years at the VA helping Others.
As well as helping out at St Luke’s Hospital on Fridays.
Frank was a great friend. I will miss him at our weekly Ex-POW meetings at the VA Medical Center – especially navigating me to lunch in the cafeteria. Our POW group and associates will remember him always for his kindness as well as his service to our country.
Frank was a very giving, kind, positive-thinking volunteer at St. Luke’s North Rehab. You could always count on his smile and pleasant appearance as he helped with various chores on Fridays. He would then get in some exercise himself, always trying to stay as physically & mentally sharp as he could. I always enjoyed seeing him. He was an icon & will be greatly missed.
Frank was our volunteer here in the rehab department for many years and we appreciated his dedicated service. I enjoyed hearing about his adventures and all his stories. He was always with a smile, pleasant and devoted to his tasks. I admired his ability to over come adversity with such grace especially when it affected his eyesight. He will be greatly missed and my heartfelt condolences to his family.
I am grateful for the life of Mr. Royer. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.
Craig, you and your family have my deepest sympathy, my prayers are with you.
Frank was one of the greatest individuals that ever graced the hallways of the KCVA. He was a cornerstone to the Heart of America Chapter of the Ex-Prisoners of War and a true inspiration for his many years of volunteer service to the medical center. I recall the story of his capture at the Battle of the Bulge and the correspondences he had with his mother during the time he was incarcerated by the Germans. Frank was a hero to all and a kind man that you were proud to call a friend.
Frank was an inspiration to so many of us who were fortunate to be part of his volunteer work at Saint Luke’s North Hospital. He was the epitome of the character shown by The Greatest Generation. I feel very fortunate to have known him. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Don Sipes
My father was a kind and gentle man. We spent many days walking the nature trail in Parkville where he also had vollunteered his time. With my great grandson we followed many other trails around the city. His parents Bessie and Lester Royer were the best grandparents any kid would of loved to have. In my younger years my brother and I spent many summers going to the Lake of the Ozarks to a cabin my grandparents bought. So much exploring and fishing and memories we had. We moved to Lake Waukomis in 63. Loved it there.
Dad and mom were divorced in 66. But our father was never far away in our hearts. He had to come and see us but even in later years he would be there for all the holidays even when we were far away. I hope he is with his loving family have fun fishing and laughing as I remember. Craig and I were unable to participate in his obituary so I want to add this with love.