Dr. Robert “Bob” Durant 1940-2016
SAVANNAH - Dr. Robert “Bob” L. Durant, 76 was born December 8th, 1940 and died on December 30, 2016 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Bob graduated Benton High School in St. Joseph in 1958. He then went on to further his education by attending and graduating from Northwest Missouri State University, University of Missouri, and obtaining his doctorate from University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. During the majority of his junior high, high school and college career, he was part of the amateur rodeo circuit. During this time, he secured the title of National Junior Bull Riding Rodeo Champion.
After hanging up his spurs, he moved into private practice in Frisco, Colo. where he worked for many years as a Clinical Phycologist. Bob was also on the Colorado State Phycology board for several years. While living in Colo. he took up new sports; snow skiing, mountain biking and he formed the Summit County Underwater Rescue team. During this time, his new passion became working on and driving race cars. He enjoyed vintage auto racing all over the country. Bob then moved out of the mountains into Ft. Collins, Colo. and worked in their school district in the Psychology department for several years. After his retirement from teaching, he spent four years traveling the country with a private racing team. He was always chasing that checkered flag!
After the race team, he moved back to Savannah where his roots run deep. He then took a part time job with WMCC in St. Joseph. Bob also helped take care of his grandmother, mother and the family farm. After living in the cold, snowy mountains of Colo. for many years and enduring the cold winter months in Mo., he decided to head south and winter in sunny, warm Ariz.
Bob was always up for an adventure, whether it was any number of family trips, parasailing & scuba diving in Mexico, continuing education seminars in his phycology field, or any other place that the wind would take him. He loved to travel and see new things, find new thrills, but could always find a good book.
Bob was preceded in death by his Huffman and Durant grandparents, & parents Pauline Marjorie “Margie” & Lowell Durant.
Survivors include his cousin but more a brother, Roger (Rita) Durant of Cameron; two nieces, Cassie M. Durant & (Josh Phillips) of Lathrop, and Kyllie L. Durant of Cameron; great-niece, Sydney Durant and great nephew Jace Hahn of Lathrop; & special friend Mary Kay Lyle of Savannah; & numerous Fogg and Martin cousins.
Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home in Savannah. Visitation and family receiving hours will be Monday, January 9, 2017 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home in Savannah. Burial will be in Savannah Cemetery, Savannah. In Lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Northwest Missouri State University.
