Robert A. Wichers

Robert Anton Wichers was born on February 6, 1924 in Russell, Kansas, the son of Peter Henry and Clara Kilian Wichers. He died Friday, January 19, 2018 at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 93 years, 11 months, and 13 days.

After living in Russell, his family moved to Louisiana for a period of time before moving back to Russell, where he attended high school before going to the French Camp Academy. It was there that he realized he wanted to serve in the military, and went into the United States Army Air Force, serving in World War II. He went to Topeka and attended Washburn University and also served as a supervisor at the National Youth Administration, where he began to learn more about the photography industry. It was there that he met his future wife, Phyllis Clark, and the two were married on June 25, 1944 at Russell.

They moved to Beloit and started the Wichers Studio. In 1960, the Professional Photographers Color Corporation began operation in downtown Beloit, and in 1967 moved to the location on Roosevelt Avenue.

Robert and Phyllis were blessed with four children, Robert Jr., Joyce, Rebecca, and Van. They were privileged to spend more than 67 years of marriage together until her death in October, 2011.

While most of his life revolved around the photography business, he also was a good marksman and enjoyed hunting with Phyllis.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; his son Van; sister Margaret Evans; brother Henry Wichers; and granddaughter Amy Pearson.

Robert is survived by his son Robert, Jr. and wife Shirley of Beloit; daughters Joyce Pearson and husband Dennis of Barnard, and Rebecca Phillips of Goddard; his brother Max Fairclough of Ireland; 10 grandchildren, Spencer (Karen) Pearson, Lori (Wade) Blake, Michelle (Edgar) Rubio, Chris (Bill) Ransom, Brett (Lacy) Wichers, Robert (Melissa) Rogers, Alex (Steven) Cotton, Aubrey Wichers, Stacy (Jimmy) Aylward, and Sarah (Isaac) Overstake; 16 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.