Robert Lane Stone, age 86, of Springfield, MO passed away 12:35 p.m., Sunday, June 22, 2025. He was born May 4, 1939, the son of Virgil Claire Stone and Grace Elizabeth Stone in Springfield, MO.

He was a graduate of Central High School and then later graduated from Drury University in 1965. Robert was in the US Navy from 1957-1959 and then married the love of his life, June Stone, in March of 1961. He then was in the Army, National Guard, and was even a contractor for the Department of Defense.

Robert had many professions, which included the following: a paper route at the News-Leader, working at Cranks Drugs Store, and the Greene County Health Department. He was also employed at Hoffman-Taff, Litton Industries, Solid State, and Morton Thiokol Sales. Robert worked on the building of Lab and Processes at Thomas Hill Power Plant, was a Quality Control Manager at 3M, a real estate agent at Carol Jones, a consultant at Allied Bendix and then at Los Allamos, and a First Aid Instructor at the Red Cross. He owned a news-stand at the Plaza Towers. Robert was a manufacturing representative for Allied Chemical and then ELS – Circuit Board. He was a private investigator for St. Louis Workers Comp. Then, he became a Microbiology Instructor at Drury University and at Cox College of Nursing. He also was an OSHA Coordinator of Safety at Drury University and then at National Audio. Finally, Robert was Santa Claus at Mercy, Big Cedar, Hickory Hills, and All Pet Supply.

More than all things, places traveled, career and professional endeavors, his love of family and spending time with them was his highest achievement.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, John Stone and Mary Grandstaff. He is survived by his son, Thomas Stone (wife Rachel), grandchildren, T. Andrew Stone, William Stone (Amanda Mortlock), Sarah Rugenstone (Zach Rugenstone); son, Douglas Stone (wife Alicia), grandchildren, Kaitlyn Whalen-Stone (Ian Whalen-Stone) Ryan, Noah, Jacob, and Abigail Stone; and son, Christopher Stone (wife Susan), grandchildren, Grace Elizabeth Belcher (Kaden Belcher).

Memorial Service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, July 18, 2025, with Sarah Rugenstone officiating at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 17, 2025, in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.