Bob Carlile Passes Away

City Commissioner and long-time Liberal businessman, Bob Carlile passed away Friday evening shortly after 8:00pm of an apparent heart attack.

Bob was very active in the community, the Liberal Bee Jays, and his company J&R Sand which he started in 1959, and grew into the thriving company that it is today, employing over 70 people. Bob was involved in several highway organizations in Kansas and Oklahoma, and J&R Sand received numerous awards for their work under his direction.

Bob was involved with the Liberal Bee Jays for over 30 years, most recently serving as General Manager. In 2008, Bob recruited former Liberal Bee Jay, and Major League player and manager, Mike Hargrove to return to Liberal to manage the team. Mike’s presence once again put the Liberal Bee Jays in the national spotlight, and proved to rejuvenate the team as they won the National Championship in 2010.

Bob also served on the USD 480 Board of Education for 12 years, and the Liberal City commission for 9 years with his current term set to expire in 2015.

Bob received the Liberal Chamber of Commerce’s Merit Award in 2007, and was named The Citizen of the Year in 2008. He was also inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame, and the National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame.

Bob gave generously of his time, resources, and often money, most of the time with the only stipulation that his name be kept anonymous.

Bob lost his beloved wife Sue in 2006. They had 4 sons , Mike, Todd, and Jerry, who are active in the business, and Bruce who resides in Bakersfield California. He was recently married to Danita, and also has five granddaughters, and one great granddaughter.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Seward County Activity Center then moving to Brent Gould Field.