Robert Kenneth Hitt

Robert K Hitt, 72, formerly of Topeka KS, passed away Thursday, Sept 24, 2020 Liberty Hospital, Liberty Missouri.

Robert Kenneth Hitt was born October 10, 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Reagan and Marie Jeanette (Smith) Hitt. He lived his early years in Dallas Texas. He attended Bryan Adams High School, and was active in the R.O.T.C. all 4 years. 2 weeks after graduation he enlisted in the US Army and completed basic training at Ft. Polk Louisiana. After A.I.T. at Ft. Ord California, he deployed to Germany In Nov. 1966. After a long winter, he decided it was too cold for a Texas Cowboy and requested reassignment to Vietnam. In July of ‘67 he arrived at the US Military Assistance Command (MAC V) were he worked to train support and assist a Vietnamese Infantry unit. He returned stateside in 1969, stationed at Ft. Hood Texas before attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Ft. Benning Georgia. After assignments to Ft. Walters TX and Ft. Rucker AL, he was assigned to Ft Riley KS in July of ‘71. He remained on active duty status there until a force reduction in Oct. ‘73. He served in the US Army Reserve from then until 1974. In Sept. ‘75 he went full time with the Kansas Air National Guard at Forbes Field in Topeka. In June of 1986 he transitioned to to his full time role with the KS Army National Guard where he served the next 21 years before retiring in Oct. of 2007. Total years of service, 39 years 9 months 22 days. The next day, he returned to his office as a civilian contractor where he remained until his final retirement in 2012.

Robert was joined in marriage to Julie Jane Van Dyke on March 17th 1973 in Wichita KS. They most recently lived in Topeka before moving this summer to be closer to their work in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple in Kansas City.

Robert was an extraordinary Husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather. Together with his Eternal love Julie, and through his priesthood authority he presided over his family with love and a generous amount of undeserved patience.

They had 4 daughters, Crystal Peterson (Randall) of Olathe KS, Amy Heckman (Cody)of Burlingame KS, Darlene Moyer (John) of Corning KS, and Karen Hitt of Lenexa KS; 4 sons Erik Hitt (Cara) of Pasco WA, Travis Hitt of Emporia KS, Jeremy Hitt (Pandora) of Burlingame KS and Shawn Hitt (Juell) of Burlingame KS; a sister Joyce Higginbotham of New Port Richey FL; 2 brothers, his identical twin brother Ronald Hitt of Garland TX, and Thomas Hitt of Forney TX

Robert was preceded in death by his parents.

Proudly embracing the moniker of "Grumpy" bestowed by his 27 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren he leaves an enduring legacy of a life lived with the mindset of work hard, serve well, love freely and never give up. He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him in the 72 years of his earthly life. A true American patriot, a 40 year military veteran and High Priest in his Church he lived a life of faithful service to his fellow man and his heavenly father who has now called him home.

Services will be held at 10:00 am Friday Oct. 2, 2020 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- Saints Stake Center, 2401 SW Kingsrow Rd, Topeka KS 66614. Military Graveside honors will follow the service (12:00pm) at Burlingame Community Cemetery, Highway 56 Burlingame KS.


The family will receive visitors Thursday Oct. 1, 2020 6:00-8:00 pm at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, KS 66523

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert K Hitt Memorial fund and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, KS 66523. Condolences may be expressed at Vanarsdalefs.com