Robert E. "Bob" Swafford, 91, of Richmond, died Monday, April 27, 2020, at North Care Hospice House, North Kansas City.

Bob was born on September 15, 1928, in Hardin, the son of James A. and Frances M. (McGuire) Swafford.  He was united in marriage to Virginia Buthe of Tarkio on August 7, 1966; she survives of the home.

Bob also leaves behind: two sons, Gary L. (Tammy) Swafford and J. Rob (Courtney) Swafford, both of Richmond; two grandchildren: Calvin G. Swafford, Claire J. Swafford; sister-in-law, Barbara Swafford; three nieces Cindy Dalton, Kim Ray, and Jamie Tweedie; and five great-nephews and five great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Paul Mark Swafford, and brother, James F. "Jim" Swafford.

Bob's family moved to Richmond when he was an infant.  He lived his entire life, except one year during World War II, in Richmond.  Bob graduated from the Richmond High School in 1946, he then attended Central Methodist University in Fayette and University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.  In 1955, Bob, along with his brother and father, formed James A. Swafford and Sons Mercury Dealership and Sinclair Service Station, in Richmond, which today is known as Swafford's Ford Sales, Inc.

Bob was passionate about the community he lived in and was an active member.  He was a lifetime active member of the Richmond United Methodist Church, serving on many boards and committees.  Bob was a member and past president of the Richmond Kiwanis Club since 1954, where he received the Walter Zeller Fellowship Award.  He was past president and an active member of the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Ray County Industrial Development Corporation Board of Directors. Bob served on the Ray County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees from 1982 to 2009.  He was honored by the Missouri Hospital Association with the Excellence in Governance Award in 2003.  Bob also received the 1996 Sam Walton Business Leadership Award, the KC Royals Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Award in May 2009, and was recognized in 2018 by the Richmond R-XVI Wall of Honor Award.

Bob enjoyed sports, loved going to and watching the Royals and Chiefs, he especially enjoyed going to his grandchildren's activities.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the Richmond United Methodist Church Endowment Fund or the Ray County Memorial Hospital Foundation.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Bob will lie in state from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond.  Private family graveside services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Richmond Memory Gardens.  A public memorial service for Bob, to be announced at a later date, at the Richmond United Methodist Church.  Ceremonies entrusted to Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond.  Please remember to share your memories of Bob with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .