A memorial service for Robert (Bob) Charles Warwick, Sr. will be 12:00 noon in the Old Mission Mortuary Chapel, 3424 E. 21st Street, Wichita, Kansas 316-686-7311. Bob went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 5, 2012. He was 91.
Born on March 18, 1920 in Chetopa, Kansas to Wylie and Lillian Warwick, Bob spent his childhood in Edna, Kansas and Coffeyville, Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in physical education at Wichita State University where he played football and earned the nickname in the media "Fireball Warwick". He studied for a master's degree at Colorado University, Wichita State University, and California State University.
Bob enlisted in the Navy in January of 1942 to support the country he loved in WWII. On June 23, 1943, he married his beautiful sweetheart, Mary Jane Greisen. She traveled the country with him as he was stationed in military schools and bases preparing for his eventual duty as the physical education director on the Aleutian Island of Adak, Alaska. He was proud to have brought in the world champion boxer, Joe Louis, for exhibition boxing for the Navy personnel there.
After the war, Bob began his teaching and coaching career. He taught and coached football at the High Schools in Belle Plain, Kansas, Nickerson, Kansas, and LaCrescenta, California. He coached swimming and tennis at Campus High School in Wichita, Kansas. Among the subjects he taught were biology, history and social studies.
In retirement, Bob's passion was competing in Senior Olympics and Masters Meets. He entered many events in each meet including pole vault, high jump, long jump, and swimming, winning hundreds of medals and ribbons into his 80's. Bob immensely enjoyed his children and grandchildren and loved to laugh. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle, Bob is survived by his children, Robert Warwick, Jr. and wife, Sue of Tulsa, Vicki Pember and husband, Merrill of Tulsa, and Mark Warwick and wife, Chris of Lancaster, California; grandchildren Robby, Troy, DeLaine, Derek, David, Angela, Sharla, Britney, Justin, Breanna, and Daniel; and 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Jane, two brothers, Willis and Kenneth, and two sisters, Virginia and Mary Margaret and a half brother, Leroy.