Robert Eugene Crist Obituary

Robert Eugene Crist Obituary

Judge Robert “Bob” Eugene Crist, passed away on March 30, 2024. Bob was born on September 17, 1924 in New Boston, Mo., to W. Everett Crist and Erna Liebhart Crist.

Bob spent the first 16 years of his life in New Boston, a small town in Linn County, Mo. He received his elementary education in a one-room school building in New Boston. He received his high school education in a rural consolidated school in Shelby, MO, graduating in 1941 with a class of 30. He was the valedictorian of the class. After graduation he trained as a butcher with Temple Stephens Grocery Company in Kirksville, Mo. For the next two years he worked in Kirksville, Moberly, Columbia and Brookfield. In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After medic basic training he was accepted into the Army Specialized Training Program at John Tarleton University in Stephensville, TX. After one year of college and 60 hours of engineering college credits, he was transferred to the 99th Infantry Division. His 99th played a prominent role in the bloody Battle of the Bulge in World War II where he was captured by the enemy and escaped. He was awarded 3 European Battle Star Medals, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star and an Infantry Combat Badge. He was a member of the Shelbina American Legion for more than 70 years.

Following the war, Bob entered the University of Missouri School of Law in Columbia where he rented an apartment from J.C. Penney’s sister. After graduating in 1950, he was hired by Fred Bollow to work in Shelbina. He continued in the practice of law in Shelbina until August 1978.

He married the love of his life, Betty Lou LeGrand, on April 29, 1951 in Shelbina. They were married almost 70 years and together they raised five children while devoting extensive time and resources to restoring the historic Benjamin House to its original beauty. Bob would often say “second to my family, working on the many ongoing projects of the Benjamin House brought me the greatest joy.” Bob was a longtime member of the Shelbina Christian Church where he served as a deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher. Bob served as president of the Shelbina Men’s Club and was a member of the Shelbina Masonic Lodge.

Bob was very active in scouting and became the scoutmaster of the Shelbina Boy Scout Troop 30 in 1950. Twenty-one years later he became Explorer Adviser of Troop 30. Six of his scouts became Eagle Scouts. In the summer of 1972, he took 14 scouts on a 25-day tour of the West, ending up with 10 days trekking in the mountains of Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. On December 10, 1972 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor the Great Rivers Scout Council could grant to a volunteer.

He was the Prosecuting Attorney of Shelby County from 1951-55, a member of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar from 1957-61, and was selected as the president of the Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers in 1961. He authored the Missouri Civil Instruction Handbook in 1961.

On August 16, 1978 Bob was sworn in as a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. He served as a judge with distinction until mandatory retirement on September 17, 1994. One of his greatest rewards was being able to mentor numerous law clerks during his time on the Court. On October 24, 1994 the Missouri House of Representatives passed a House Resolution honoring his 16 years of meritorious service as a judge and referenced in the resolution that at the time of his retirement “Judge Crist has authored more appellate court opinions than any other judge in Missouri history.”

In his retirement, he continued to serve as a Senior Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, and a mediator and arbitrator for The Missouri Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Committee. He was a life-long member of the Missouri Bar and American Bar Associations.

Bob is survived by his children Robin Crist Buckman (Dan) Camilla Crist, Rod Crist (Sue), Charles Crist (Kim) and Heidi Crist Templeton (Scott). He is survived by his grandchildren Clayton and Cameron Buckman, Britta Belle, Andrew (Rachael) and Cole Crist, Lindsey Crist and Lauren Crist Grohs (William), Callie Templeton O’Donnell (Tommy) and Carter Brooks Templeton (Lara) and great grandchildren, Samuel & Griffin Grohs and Edmond Crist. He is survived by many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Lou, his parents, brothers, Winston and Raymond and son-in-law, Ron Oberhelman.

A service will be held at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO on Friday, April 12 at 1 p.m. As there will not be a visitation, friends are encouraged to share their favorite Bob Crist story with the family either through the funeral home web site or by sending a note to the family. He will be greatly missed by his family, especially his smile and infectious laugh.

Memorials may be made to the Robert E. & Betty Lou Crist scholarship at the University of Missouri School of Law, the Shelbina Christian Church or to the donor’s choice.