Robert “Bob” L. May started life in Mansfield, IL on January 18, 1935. He grew up in Champaign, IL, and enlisted in the US Navy in 1953. He married Carlene Reifsteck in 1954 and stayed in the Navy until 1957. After the Navy, he attended the University of Illinois studying Forestry. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and was hired by the US Forest Service. Bob and family (Carlene, Mike, Tim, and Pat) embarked to Grand Marais, MN. His career in the Forest Service took the family from Grand Marais to Indiana, back to Minnesota, and then to Rolla, MO in 1973. Rolla became home, Bob was a District Ranger in two different districts and then worked in the Supervisors Office and retired from the Forest Service in 1990. Following retirement, Bob worked in many capacities and then entered into politics, serving as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives for 8 years. He was active in the community, serving as a baseball coach, and a leader in the First Presbyterian Church, the Optimist Club, the Korean War Veterans Association, the Phelps County Republican Committee, and the Assistance League for the St. James Veterans Home Park.

Bob lost his youngest son, Pat, in 1986 and Carlene passed away in April 2023. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Frank May and Dale May.

Bob will be greatly missed by his surviving family which includes: two sons, Michael M. May, and wife, Ruth Ann of Stillwater, MN, and Timothy L. May and wife, Sheryl G. May of Overland Park, KS; four grandchildren, Chrissy J. Thompson of Overland Park, KS, Erin L Valdez and husband, Aaron of Phoenix, AZ, Jackson P. May of Overland Park, KS, and Patrick J. May and wife, Nicole of Hudson, WI; and four great-grandchildren, Nicholas Thompson, Brooks Thompson, Patricia May, and Robert May.

A memorial gathering for Robert L. May will be held from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Rolla Lion’s Den with a celebration of life service at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Phelps Foundation/Delbert Day Cancer Institute or the Patrick May Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be offered at www.nullandsonfuneralhome. com.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home of

Rolla.