Robert Burdette Erwin, the son of Winston Burdette and Lois Evelyn (Deatz) Erwin, was born August 11, 1944, in Maryville, Missouri. Bob attended Fairfax and Rock Port, Missouri, schools, graduating in 1962 from Rock Port High School.

On June 11, 1964, Bob was united in marriage to Barbara Josephine Mills at the First Presbyterian Church, Tarkio, Missouri, by Rev. Robert J. Stahmer. They became the parents of two sons, Donald “Turk” and Jon. In 1972, they moved to the Erwin family farm west of Fairfax, where he lived to the present time. Barb passed away in July of 2019.

Bob was employed by MFA Oil for 33 years until his retirement. He enjoyed all his customers and had the “gift of gab” with everyone he met. He often came up with nicknames for people, leaving the family to wonder if he was just being ornery or couldn’t remember peoples’ names. Bob didn’t sit still often in his younger years and had many part-time jobs. He mowed lawns, was caretaker of the English Grove Cemetery, Fairfax, served on boards, and worked for Oswald Ag with Marshall Oswald. He was a volunteer fireman in Fairfax and served as Fire Chief for many years.

Bob was a member of the English Grove Presbyterian Church and the Fairfax Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved time outdoors and spent many hours fishing and hunting with his sons, family, and friends. In his later years, Bob loved to just be home on his farm. Bob passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, at the age of 78.

Besides his parents and wife, Barbara Erwin, Bob was preceded in death by siblings, Stanley Erwin and Joan Baker; nephews, Ronnie Baker and David Joesting; and brothers-in-law, Harvey and James Mills. Survivors include sons, Donald Ray (Jamie Sue) Erwin, Kearney, Missouri, and Jon Francis (Sheila Ann) Erwin, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren, Jace Michael Erwin, Bethany Rae (Chad) Balke, and Thomas Colton Erwin; nieces and nephews, Diane Baker, Shelley (Glenn) Brunker, Kimberly (George) Nonas, David Erwin, Steve (Julie) Joesting, Andrew (Nicole) Bachle, and Peter (Henrietta) Bachle; and sisters-in-law, Darlene (Kenneth) Joesting, Rock Port, Kyra Mills, Tarkio, and Carol Erwin, Mendota, Illinois.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Thursday, prior to the service. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfax. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.