Robert Lewis Trask of Centralia passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025. He was 80 years old. A Celebration of Life service for Bob will be held at a later date.
 Bob was born in Poplar Bluff, MO, the son of Andy and Mary Lee (Lewis) Trask. Bob’s wife Sandra (Burns) Trask survives him along with his son Ryan Trask of Columbia, daughter Lisa Slap and her husband Ted of Chesterfield, and his grandsons An­drew Trask and Andy Slap. Bob’s brother Ralph Trask of Belleview, MO also survives him.
 Bob and Sandy celebrated their 60th wedding anniver­sary on February 26 of this year. Along with being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Bob was an active member of the Centralia community for several decades. He moved to Centralia after completing his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia. While teaching at Centralia High School, he completed his Master’s Degree in Education and mentored many FFA students and members of the Centralia Young Farmers Associ­ation. He led fundraising activities for both organiza­tions, including many summers spent towing a sled for tractor pulls at various fairs. Bob’s family still encoun­ters people all over the state who hear Bob’s name and share fond memories of him as a teacher and friend. Bob was an avid amateur mechanic and loved spending time working on anything with a motor. After teaching, Bob transitioned to working for Cornerstone Insurance in Columbia, retiring after 30 years of service. Bob’s real dream was to be a farmer, and he kept pigs and cattle for a number of years until, in his words, he “decided he couldn’t afford to be a farmer.” However, he did enjoy “using Sandy’s debit card” for any number of toys over the years from various cars, motorcycles and ATVs to a bulldozer, all of which he thoroughly enjoyed using.
 Bob was a very active member of the Centralia United Methodist Church, where he was part of the United Methodist Men. Over the years he assisted with multiple activities including teaching Sunday school classes and was well-known for being very happy to use his smoker in the service of feeding large crowds. Bob will be remembered for his consistently cheerful attitude, warm smile and great sense of humor. He was the epitome of a servant leader, always willing to help and support his family, his neighbors, and anyone else he met, whether by making a meal, plowing a snowy driveway or parking lot, loaning out tools or vehicles, or giving of his time and often money to any number of people. He lived his life trying to follow the Biblical charge to be a good and faithful servant. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends and the community.
 Memorial donations in Bob’s name to benefit the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.
 Online condolences may be left at www.fentonkendrickfh.com