Robert L. Calderwood

Robert Lyle Calderwood, 83, of Seneca, died Sunday evening, May 14, 2006, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.
     He was born on August 31, 1922 in Hoyt, KS, the ninth of ten children, to Henry Sabin and Sadie Belle Greg Calderwood. Robert was raised in Denison and Mayetta where he also attended school. As a young man, Robert plastered houses with his father and brothers.
     On December 26, 1942, he married Maurine Elizabeth Bowser in Lawrence, KS. He then was inducted and became active in the US Army in February of 1943. While in the service, he served with the Army Air Corps in World War II in the European Theatre. As a sergeant he was a meat cutter and spent two and a half years overseas. He received the American Defense Service Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
     Throughout the years, Robert owned and operated many different businesses. He first had a a butcher business in the A&P store on Main Street in Seneca. While a butcher at A&P, he also opened Lakeside Steakhouse, located at Nemaha County Lake on K63, on Mother’s Day weekend in 1957, offering thirteen items. Then in 1959, Robert got out of the butcher business and purchased the dime store. Robert then sold the dime store and focused his attention on the Lakeside Steakhouse.
     Robert and Maurine relocated their restaurant to Seneca in 1965, to the highway on the east end of town, and renamed it Bob’s Sirloin Room. "Bob's," as everyone called it, started with one dining room, but eventually the facility was expanded to include a lounge and bar, two more dining rooms, a larger kitchen, and a bakery. Bob prided himself on the fact that they cut all of their own meat and baked all of their own bread. In 1985, he was given the Allied Pork industry award for his promotion of pork. Robert also received the Restauranteur of the Year award in 1987.
    The photo on the right, taken in February 2006, shows Bob with the Alto Shaam prime rib cooker in the kitchen of Bob's Sirloin Room.
      As for his hobbies, nothing in the world topped Bob’s love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but playing golf came pretty close. He could usually be found on the golf course everyday at noon with his golf buddies. During his golf career, he was proud to have made six hole-in-ones. When he wasn’t playing golf, he enjoyed playing cards with his Monday night pitch group. He played pitch constantly with his sons, son-in-law, and grandchildren any time they were together. His favorite game phrase was, “Let’s play Bobby Calderwoody wins…”
     Robert was a member of many different organizations throughout his life. He was an 11 year member of the Kansas Restaurant Association Board of Directors and was a past president. He was a Shriner of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Noblest of the Mystic Shrine and helped raise money for disabled children in Kansas. He was a 25 year member of the Lions Club, served on the Board of Trustees for his church, and was also a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Masonic Lodge A.F & AM 39. Bob loved the town of Seneca and had a hand in many improvements for the town and served on the city council.
     Survivors of Robert include his wife, Maurine; four children, Charles and his wife Jenny of Jacksonville, FL, Lyle and his wife Susan of Powder Springs, GA, Sharon Medica and her husband Mike of Hot Springs Village, AR, and David and his wife Margie, of Seneca; one brother, Sam of Topeka; two sisters, Emma Cress and Betty Woodward, both of Topeka; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
     He was preceded in death by four brothers, Leon, Chuck, Ozzie, and Lou; two sisters, Gertie Banahan and Frieda Bohanan; and one grandson, Rodney.
     Visitation will be held at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Tuesday, May 16, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm. Services will be held at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Wednesday, May 17, at 11:00 am.
     Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, the new Seneca Pool Project, or Spring Creek Golf Course, and sent in care of the family.