Robert Powls

Robert Gale (Bob) Powls of Garnett died Jan. 8, 2026 at the Richmond Healthcare facility. He was 94. He was born June 18, 1931 at Kincaid, Kan. to Vern and Juanita (Lamm) Powls.

Besides living in and around Kincaid, the Powls family lived in Iola a short time before moving to Garnett in 1942. Bob attended Garnett High School and married Wanda Rockers in Garnett on Dec. 12, 1950 at Holy Angels Catholic Church rectory. They noted their 75th wedding anniversary in 2025.

Bob was retired from The Williams Companies, known formerly as Cities Service Gas Company, where he was a roustabout at the Welda gas storage facility for about 20 years. Earlier in his work career, he worked for Singer Plumbing & Electric of Garnett and the Garnett Municipal Light Plant. Prior to that, he worked as a driller in the oil fields of Kansas and Oklahoma for six years (including in the famous El Dorado oil fields).

Bob was known as a dependable, hard-working employee and was skilled at numerous trades including carpentry, welding, concrete and auto mechanic. The original DIY (do-it-yourself) guy, he enjoyed helping family and friends with all their home improvement projects. His strong work ethic was an inspiration for his family. While working the nightshift at the Garnett Light Plant, he also worked at building his home during the daytime in 1963-64. Sixty-two years later, he and Wanda were still living in the home he built.

He recalled his first job as being a "pinboy'' at the Garnett bowling alley just off the town square where the Gambles store used to be, before automatic pin-setting machines became popular. He also delivered The Kansas City Star newspaper twice a day for several years as a teen on the west side of town.

A couple of other things about Bob: In his day, he was considered one of the best country-western two-step dancers around and he was such a good dirt-track, stock car racer that others paid him to race their cars at the Humboldt and Iola tracks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Patty Miller, brother Bill Powls and infant sister Sharon Kay. He is survived by his wife Wanda, of the home, son Mike (and Colleen) of Olathe, son David (and Connie) of Holton, son Dennis (and Cindy) of Jacksonville, Fla. and son-in-law Dan Miller of Garnett. He is also survived by three sisters - Shirley Hart of Rogers, Ark. Molly Jesse of Wichita and Debbie Wilper of Garnett; and three sisters-in-law - Wilma Powls of Garnett, Linda Rockers of Overland Park and Joan Rockers of Lee's Summit, Mo. He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.

He is also survived by six grandchildren - Brian (and Natalie) Miller, Lisa (and Justin) Foltz, Katie (and Chad) Eck, Eric (and Carrie) Powls, Michael Powls and and Justine (and Cameron) Gallet.

His is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren who called him "Grandpa Bob'' - Aidan and Sofie Miller; Riley, Tyler and Rayah Foltz,; Levi and Jared Eck; Johnny, Kimmie and Lucy Powls; Paxton, Brisyn, Aiyden and Rylan Powls; and Jayanna Pommell.

A rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Bob's family will greet family and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. following the rosary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose School or the USD 365 Endowment Association and left in care of the funeral home.