Robert Edward Guthland, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, Retired, departed to join his wife, Lillian Isabelle Guthland, and his son, David Edward Guthland in a heavenly home coming on September 23rd, 2013 in Independence, MO at his home. Bob, as he was known to family and friends, was born October 19th, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri was adopted by Elizabeth Bernadine Guthland, and Edward Guthland at 18 months of age from the Children’s Home of St. Louis, MO. In 1945, he joined the US Navy, was posted to the USS Columbus out of Long Beach, California. In 1947, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and began his university studies at Northwest Missouri State Teacher’s College. On February 2, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lillian Isabelle Sickels of Mount Ayr, Iowa. Upon receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Math, he was commissioned into the Air Force in August of 1952 and attended Meteorology Officer training at Florida State University. His military career highlights included flying 27 missions through the eye of typhoons when stationed at Anderson Field, Guam, US Pacific Territories. In July of 1973, Lt. Colonel Guthland retired from active duty service after numerous duty assignments at the squadron, wing and command level. His decorations include the; Meritorious Service Medical, Air Force Commendation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. After moving his family to Maryville, Missouri and receiving a Masters in Education, he became the Director, Horace Mann Laboratory School which is part of and on the Northwest Missouri State University campus. He served in that role for 8 years. During his tenure at Northwest Missouri State University, he also was nominated by Maryville City Council, and served his as Municipal Court Judge, Maryville, Missouri. Bob was a member of Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association, and served as its Director for over 16 years. Bob was a member of the First Christian Church of Blue Springs, MO. He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian Isabelle, son David Guthland and his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Guthland.
In addition, he is survived by his sons, Rex Guthland and wife Gayle of Waconia, MN; Scott Guthland and wife Tammy of Sykesville, MD; daughter, Christine Johnson and husband David Scott Johnson of Blue Springs, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be 9:00 am September 28th, 2013 at First Christian Church of Blue Springs, 701 Northwest 15th Street, Blue Springs, MO. Funeral services will follow visitation at 10:30 am at the church. Burial with military honors will be at Miriam Cemetery in Maryville, MO at 3:00 pm on the 28th of September. Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to First Christian Church of Blue Springs. Arrangements entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel, Blue Springs, MO. Memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.meyersfuneralchapel.com.
I’m for lost the lost family
Thinking of all of you at this time. Prayers and hugs to all.
Malissa
May the love and support of your family, friends, and other well-wishers help you get through the loss of your beloved patriarch and American Hero. Wishing your family love and peace.
Thinking of your family during this difficult time. So sorry for your loss.
I am grateful for the life of Lt. Col. (Ret.) Guthland. 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.
Scott and Tammy, although our time together was so short, we have thought of you often through the years. Today, with great sadness. We never met your Dad, but the man you have become Scott, speaks volumes of the man he must have been. Sending our condolences…
Deepest Condolence on the passing of your father and my good friend we had alot of fun thru the years. I loved you as a friend and a brother. May you rest in peace.
Love Tiny
JUDGE BOB, IT SEEMS JUST LIKE YESTERDAY YOU WERE ON THE BENCH HANDING DOWN YOUR JUST AND FAIR RULINGS IN MARYVILLE MUNICIPAL COURT. I’LL MISS YOUR LAUGH AND YOUR STORIES. YOU’LL BE MISSED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUT YOUR MEMORY WILL LIVE ON IN ALL OF US.
We are thinking of all the Guthland and Johnson family, are prayers are with you. love to all.
So sorry to read about Mr. Guthland. I knew him when I was in elementary school at West Nodaway. He was a kind man and so good to all of us. I still have a picture of him taped in my baby book. He made a very wonderful impression on me. It is nice to read about his life and know that he was an American hero that served his country well. God bless him and all of you.
I served in the Air Weather Service IG with Bob back 1967 at Scott AFB, Il. He was a great person.
So sorry to read about Mr. Guthland . I got to know him when I was in elementary school at West Nodaway . When he was principal . I remember speaking on occasion with him about his military service . He was truly one of our greatest American heroes. I am glad I had the honor of knowing Mr. and Mrs. Guthland they were the the best.
“Mr. G” was one of my favorite teachers when I attended 5th and 6th grades at Horace Mann lab school on NWMSU campus!! I always enjoyed his stories and he had a way of making every lesson fun. I moved from Maryville in 1993 but have thought of him often, especially when I return to see family or friends. What a wonderful teacher and man!
My condolences to the family…know he left a lasting impression on this grade school student and the type of person I have become! God’s Blessings to you all