Robert E. (Bob) Wittman, age 96, passed away Wednesday evening, July 16, 2025, at the Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas.

He was born May 11, 1929, in Bazine, Kansas, the son of Alexander and Amolia (Schneider) Wittman.  As a young boy, he attended school in Bazine, graduating from Bazine High School.  After his graduation, he joined the United States Navy in September 1948, serving as a Metalsmith Second Class.  Upon his discharge in 1952, he returned to Bazine.

On May 15, 1955, he married Joyce Darlene Schrott at LaCrosse, Kansas.  After their marriage, the couple made their home in Bazine before moving to Meade, Kansas, in June of 1960.  A longtime resident of Meade, he was a carpenter and owner of Wittman Construction.  During that time, he was also a partner in B&J Custom Interiors.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Meade, Fargo Lodge No. 300 A.F. and A.M., and the Scottish Rite.  He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, corn hole, square dancing, attending the Wittman family gatherings, and spending time with his family and friends.  Bob was a pillar of the community, and his carpentry skills were unmatched.  He was known to be very picky and sought perfection on every job.  People were willing to wait a year or more for Bob to work on their home.  Bob and Joyce were "the ones" to call to lead the Wedding March at wedding dances.  Bob was known to go dancing one or two times a week, often driving to Liberal, Beaver, Garden City and Dodge City, even into his early 90's.  He was a regular at Meade Golf Club for morning rounds during the week as to avoid the "weekend warriors".  He was also instrumental in adding grass greens to the course and construction of the cart sheds.  Bob adored his only grandson, Alec.  Even after he backed into a pole at the golf course when he was driving Bob's pickup, long before he had a drivers license.

He is survived by a son Kelly Wittman and wife Joni of Dodge City, Kansas; a grandson, Alec Wittman of Haviland, Kansas; two sisters, Arlene (Marvin) Davis of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Violet Black of Great Bend, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce on February 13, 2014; two brothers, Elmer Wittman and Leroy Wittman; and two sisters, Florene Ummel and Edna Ummel.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Meade United Methodist Church.  Interment will follow in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade.  Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.

The family would welcome memorials to the Meade United Methodist Church or the Lone Tree Retirement Center Activities Fund in care of the funeral home.