Robert "Bob" W. Acridge, 79, of Winfield, Kansas, entered the gates of Heaven on June 2, 2024.

Bob was born near Edna, Kansas on August 27, 1944, the son of Chris R. and Ruby M. (Kimrey) Acridge.  He spent his childhood and early years in and around Edna and Welch, OK.

He attended Ideal Grade School near Welch and graduated from Edna High School in 1962.  In his early years, he worked at the Edna Feed Mill and on various farms earning money to help pay for his clothing and schooling as his father died when he was just seven years old.  It was then that he developed his strong life long work ethic.

After graduating from high school, he worked for a short time at a machine shop in Wichita before hiring on at Cessna Aircraft Pawnee Division in Wichita as a machinist.  While working at Cessna, he was drafted into the US Army, and served from 1965 to 1967.  He served as an 11D20 Armor Intel Specialist stationed at Aschaffenburg, Germany.

On September 22, 1969, he married Joan Oller in Miami, Oklahoma and they moved to Coffeyville, Kansas, where Bob was employed at Funk Manufacturing Company as a machinist before moving to Winfield in 1973, returning to work at Cessna.  In 1976, he received his Associate of Arts degree in machine tool technology.  He retired from Cessna where he worked as a Machinist then as a Manufacturing Engineer/Programmer in tool development for NC Machines.

Bob was the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 314 for many years.  He was an active member of the American Legion where he served on the firing squad for the Honor Guard.  He had an interest in woodworking and crafted many fine intricate items.  He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid KC Chiefs, KC Royals, KU, and NASCAR fan.  His entire life revolved around friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan; children, Robert L. (Vivian) Acridge of Cantonment, FL; Jeffery L. Acridge of Seattle, WA; Amy D. Acridge of Winfield; five grandsons, Colton Acridge, Gunner Acridge, and Caleb (Brittany) Acridge of Concordia; Robert L. Acridge, Jr. of Cantonment, FL; and Nicholas W. Acridge of Winfield; and four great grandchildren, Alaina, Hailee, Braxton, and Cash of Concordia.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a brother Henry L. Acridge.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Miles Funeral Service.  Interment and Military Committal Honors will follow at Highland Cemetery.  A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Friday from 4 to 8 P.M.  The family will greet friends during this time.

A memorial has been established in Bob's name for the American Cancer Society.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

Funeral service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at the following link: