KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- Robert Thomas Krone Jr., 77, known as "Bob" to friends and family and "Ragtime Bob" in his music circle, of Kirkwood and formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed from this life into life eternal at Mercy South Hospital on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, following a recent illness and valiant, 10-year battle with multiple myeloma.
He was born Sept. 22, 1944, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and resided in Perryville, Missouri, until attending college at Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1966.
Bob was known for his musical talents, especially ragtime piano and jazz, and his composition of the "Cape Girardeau Rag" and arrangements of many other tunes. He played in a dance band in the 1960s and gave piano concerts around the area in the 1970s and 1980s, including on the terraces of Academic Hall at Southeast Missouri State University. He passed his love and ability for music to his daughter, Laura, and grandchildren, Jacob and Levi.
He enjoyed baseball, playing in his youth, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals and his stepgrandchildren, Blake and Jake, play. He was a talented photographer who enjoyed nature photography as well as capturing special moments with family and friends. He was passionate about self-care and wellness, natural health, essential oils, therapeutic massage and passing his knowledge to others.
Other hobbies included hiking, biking, gardening, electronics, building computers and spending time with family and friends. An insurance salesman for many years, Bob helped many families with financial planning and received the designations of Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), along with sales awards.
Loving survivors include Joanna Krone of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Laura (Weldon) Saupe; grandchildren, Jacob and Levi Shelton and Blake and Jacob Saupe; and sister, Kathleen (Brant) Hall.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert T. and LaVerne Krone Sr.
Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road in Kirkwood, with celebration of life service following at 3 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.give.themmrf.org/bobkrone or c/o Laura Saupe.
Online condolences may be sent at www.boppchapel.com.
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