At the age of 88, Robert Tapscott of West Plains, Missouri, ended his earthly journey and went home to Jesus on January 22, 2024.
He was born on the Fourth of July, 1935 to Margaret and Farrell Tapscott of Trenton, Missouri. After graduating from Trenton High School, where he was co-captain of the football team, he married the love of his life, Evelyn Holt, on Christmas Day 1953. The couple celebrated 70 years together last Christmas. They each would always say the other was the best gift they have ever received.
Robert was a loving father to four daughters and sons-in-law: Diana and Brian Groe of West Plains, Missouri; Cindy and Warren Christophersen of Ogallala, Nebraska; Linda and Rick Renteria of Keystone, South Dakota; and Jennifer and Justin Cropper of North Platte, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with fourteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. They praise God that they have never buried a child.
Robert worked on the railroad for 42 years, ending his career as an engineer with the Burlington Northern in Sheridan, Wyoming. He loved his job, loved the romance of the rails, loved seeing the aurora borealis on cold winter nights or the fields ripe for harvest as summer days turned to autumn. He always took reading material in case he had to wait in a siding—the Book of Rules, so he could study for the frequent tests he had to take to keep railroading, and his Bible. He often used the long runs over the road to share his faith with his co-workers, and more than a few came to know the Savior. One man called him 20 years after the fact to thank Robert for telling him about the Lord. Even though he didn’t come to faith when Robert worked with him, the seeds had been planted and he found Jesus later.
Robert was adventurous and well-traveled. He earned his private pilot’s license and had a Cessna 152 and later, a Piper Warrior which he and Evelyn enjoyed flying over the sandhills of Nebraska and back to Missouri to visit family. He took his wife and daughters on numerous camping trips throughout the American West. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers fan and always said, with hope in his heart, that each game was “gonna be a good game!” He was also a 32nd degree Mason, though one of his granddaughters thought the “G” on his Masonic ring stood for “Grandpa.”
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Shirley Trainer, his brother Rick Tapscott, and his brother-in-law Charles Holt.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and all his children and grandchildren; his brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Doris Tapscott of Franklin, Tennessee; his brother-in-law Thomas Trainer of Oskaloosa, Iowa; his sister-in-law Barb Tapscott of Des Moines, Iowa; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Edward and Mary Holt of Trenton, Missouri, his sister-in-law, Pat Holt of Des Moines, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In the last days of his life, Robert’s attitude was one of total gratitude for all the blessings he’d experienced and the length of days he’d been granted. He was ready and excited to meet his Savior. But his family and friends will miss him sorely until we are reunited in that land where God will wipe away all tears. There will be a graveside service in Trenton, MO at a later date.
Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
