BITNER, Robert Beck - KSTC

Thursday, November 8, 2001 - Morning Sun

Robert Beck Bitner

Robert Beck Bitner, 91, of 1514 Bitner Court, Pittsburg, died at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.

He was born July 10, 1910, at Pittsburg to Frank A. and Laura M. Gibson Bitner. He enrolled in kindergarten at the Normal Training School at Russ Hall at Kansas State Teachers College, now Pittsburg State University.

Mr. Bitner attended elementary, junior high an high school at Pittsburg, graduating from College High in 1929. He attended Kansas State Teachers College, now Pittsburg State University.

On May 17, 1943, he married Iris "Penny" Steele at Fayetteville, Ark. She preceded him in death Jan. 25, 2001.

He served as a flight instructor during World War II. He was stationed in Fort Smith and Fayetteville and also in Houston, before returning to Pittsburg to finish his tour of duty.

Mr. Bitner remained active in business his entire life. His various business interests included the Marathon Oil Co., Phillips Oil Co., and John Deere Implement in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Mr. Bitner owned his first Model T at age 12 and later went into the automobile business as a dealer for Studebaker and Chrysler/Plymouth automobiles. He was a licensed insurance and real estate broker and builder/developer of southeast Kansas residential and commercial properties.

The Bitner family purchased the Besse Hotel in 1969 and operated the hotel and restaurant until 1976 at which time the building was converted into residential apartments. His ranching interest included cattle and hog operations along with grain and hay farming in Kansas and Missouri.

He was baptized and was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, which later became the Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, where he served on the Session and Board of Trustees. Mr. Bitner was a lifetime member of the Sigma Tau Fraternity, American Legion and served on many community and civic organizations.

Survivors include three sons, Jerry Bitner, Brent Bitner, and Steven Bitner; and one daughter, Rebecca Bitner, all of Pittsburg; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Arthur Bitner.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday Nov. 9, at the Presbyterian Church, Sixth and Pine, with Rev. Dr. Robert Bardeen and Rev. Dr. Bob Docherty officiating. Burial will take place privately at the Highland Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Brenner Mortuary Chapel, 114 E. Fourth St., where friends may call after 11 a.m. today Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.