Robert D. Gus Messinger

Robert D. Gus Messinger was born March 19, 1930 and passed peacefully in his sleep on February 23, 2017. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, and his son, Brad. He is survived by his daughter, Debra (Brian) FitzGerald; sons Frank Messinger and Robert Messinger, Jr.; grandson, Frank Messinger; granddaughter, Chelsa (Jake) Messinger Buchanan; granddaughter, Bevin (Whitney) Akers; grandson, Jack (Cheryl) FitzGerald; and two great-grandchildren. Gus grew up in McKeesport, PA, and was raised by his Dad and his Grandpap and Grandma. His Grandpap, Gustav, came over from Germany when he was 13 years old and opened a local grocery store where little Gus spent most of his time when not playing baseball or football. Gus was recruited to play football for a college, Wichita University, in Wichita, KS. He came out by the train on his own and played his way through college, earning an undergraduate and later, Masters degree in Geology. During that time he met the love of his life, Marilyn, and he was devastated when she passed away in 2013. Together they raised four children and during that time he was able to work in oil and gas exploration, and he was very successful. Gus and Marilyn were blessed to travel the world and many of those trips were with a large golf group. They had many great adventures. Anyone who knew Gus knew of his LOVE for his wife and family, the Steelers and the Shockers, and Geology. Gus was a member of the Kansas Geological Society, Kansas Geological Foundation, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and was always a generous contributor to the WSU athletic department. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Donations can be made to the Kansas Geological Foundation, 212 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202.