Roland Netzer

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, surrounded by family, Roland Lee Netzer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, peacefully passed away in his home at the age of 93, to be reunited in heaven with his beloved wife and other loved ones.

Roland was born December 19, 1929, to William & Ruth Netzer and raised on a South Springfield farm with two siblings, Melvin & Rowena. He married his high school sweetheart Kathryn Rose Williams on January 7, 1951. Roland and Katy were married for keeps (71 years until Katy's passing in October, 2022) and together raised seven children: Kelly, Melvin, Jeffrey, Betsy, Fred, Jean, and Alice.

Roland was not only a devoted husband and father, but also a veteran, scholar, and avid in his pursuit of other passions, including most centrally organic farming—decades before it was en vogue.

Roland earned a Bachelor’s in Agriculture Education at Missouri State University and Master's in Agriculture Extension at Missouri University, graduating with honors and becoming an MU Agricultural Extension agent hosting live television shows. He was also a Korean War veteran, Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy, farm manager, poultry marketing executive, pilot, real estate agent, and self-employed organic farmer. He was the KY3 Gardener, a role in which he appeared live for television news segments helping area residents do their own best gardening, and was also the Greater Springfield Farmers Market President. He was a published author of Echoes from the Hills and even had a public television show in that regard, both of which are in libraries now.

Roland also enjoyed fishing, photography, nature study, flying aircraft, motorcycling, journaling daily for decades, traveling, and, of course, time with his loving wife and family.

Roland was caring, hardworking, intelligent, devoted, honest, patriotic, articulate in both speech and writing, resilient, and even-tempered until the very end.

One would be hard-pressed to find Roland and his wife Katy at separate events over the years; the love they found in high school stayed with them all through the decades, keeping them close to one another. They were quite inseparable, even working together on the farm as the work would allow, throughout their entire adult lives, until the very end.

Roland is preceded in death by his dear wife, parents, siblings, and one grandson, Jacob Osborn.

Roland is survived by his caring children:
Kelly (& Barbara) Netzer of Springfield,
Melvin (& Missy) Netzer of Greenfield,
Jeff (& Stephanie) Netzer of Lawrence, KS,
Betsy (& Tony) Staudt of Milo,
Fred Netzer of Willard,
Jean Osborn of Joplin, and
Alice (& Phil) Simpkins of San Antonio, TX.

Roland is also survived by his cherished grandchildren:
Kelly’s family: Josh Netzer, Brian Netzer, and Joe & Diamond Netzer of Springfield;
Melv’s family: Erik Netzer of Springfield, and Roland Netzer of New York, NY;
Jeff’s family: Skye Carroll of Springfield, Jaime (& Adam) Desnoyers of Lawrence, KS, and Rachelle (& Benjamin) Netzer-Young of Washington, DC;
Betsy’s family: Diana Staudt of Nevada, Carrie Staudt of Joplin, and Katy (& Cole) Reed of Sheldon;
Fred’s family: Madeline Netzer of Springfield;
Jean’s family: Tamara Osborn of Little Rock, AR, and Jack Osborn of Springfield;
Alice’s family: Christina and Angela Simpkins, both of San Antonio, TX.

Cherished great-grandchildren surviving Roland are:
Betsy’s daughter Katy’s family: Tori Staudt, and Emery and Claire Reed, all of Sheldon.

Roland is also survived by countless cherished friends and extended family nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children.

Visitation will be held at Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home, Springfield, at noon on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, with immediately thereafter graveside services at 2pm at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, both with brief remarks from family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com