Robert East

Robert E. East passed away June 24, 2020.  Robert (Bob) was born in Alicia, Arkansas, on November 10, 1925 to David Reuben East and Janie McPike East.       He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Joan East, as well as, two daughters, Janis East Sportsman(Grant) and Janette East Sloss(Jim) and three grandsons, Adam Sportsman, Eric Sloss and Bryan Sloss.  He is also survived by his step-daughter, Missy Johnson(Ric)and their children Dustin and Lindsey Johnson.

Bob was raised on a farm in Northeast Arkansas and is the last child of a large family.  Bob volunteered to serve in the Marine Corp during World War II at the age of 18.   After serving his country, he moved to the Kansas City area where he worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 39 years.   In his adult years, he  enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, skeet shooting, coaching baseball and riding motorcycles.  He even owned and piloted a small airplane.

After retirement, Bob moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas where he lived at Diamondhead Golf and Country Club.   He was an avid golfer who won many tournaments and was proud to shoot 80 at age 80.   Besides golf, Bob was a professional ballroom competition dancer.   He and Joanie taught ballroom dance for 12 years at the Quapaw Community Center in Hot Springs.   Since 2015, Bob and Joanie have lived at Carnegie Village Independent Living in Belton, Mo where they have made many friends and continued entertaining the residents with their dance moves.

Anyone who knew Bob would say he was a perfectionist.  With everything, he would practice until perfect.  His shoes were always shined, as were his golf clubs and bowling ball.   And, he was proud of his extensive ballroom dance music collection.

In his final years, Bob’s relationship with his savior became strong. He would tell everyone he saw, even strangers, Jesus loves you and so do I.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Veteran’s organization.