Robert Henry Fry

Robert Henry Fry, 93 of Madison, passed away Friday, January 8, 2016 at Newman Regional Hospital. ��Robert was born on March 21, 1922, the oldest of 5 children born to Andrew F. Fry and Esther Breed Fry of Emporia, Kansas. He attended public schools in Emporia and graduated from Emporia High. His academic career at Kansas State Teacher's College included commerce, math, and music. During the war, he worked in Kansas City where Elma May Johnson of Hamilton and Bob were married June 22, 1944. He also worked in Lawrence for Kansas Power and Light and played in the University of Kansas Band. He taught music in the Public Schools in Hamilton, Pawnee Rock, and Madison, Kansas. He opened an accounting, bookkeeping, and tax service in Madison; he completed his Certified Public Accountant Certification, which also enabled him to teach at Emporia State University and at Babson Midwest Institute in Eureka, Ks. When the Emporia Military Band decreased in numbers as soldiers went off to war in the 40s, Bob and others formed the Emporia Municipal Band. His active involvement in the band stretched over seven decades. He often played with the Emporia State University Band during their daily practices, as well as school events and band tours. He directed the Madison United Methodist Church Choir, organized community choir events, promoted the Madison Concert and Lecture Series. Bob played a number of musical instruments. His principal instrument was the euphonium (a tenor tuba), but he also played the trombone and tuba. He played solos in many places accompanied by his daughter Mary Beth, and arranged music for lower brass instruments. The K.U. Brass Ensemble played Bob's arrangements, with one being featured at the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) annual conference. He also published several articles in low brass publications and attended national low brass conventions and numerous "Tuba Christmases". His bookkeeping and accounting business included tax service, school and municipal audits, and kept books for many local businesses. His daughter, Mary Beth Davies, worked for him in the accounting business. He was the only CPA in Greenwood County for many years and was the first to introduce computerized accounting and taxes preparation in the area. Bob was a supporter of community events. When the Madison Theater closed in the 60's, Bob organized a group to buy the building and continue movies for the community. He was also a promoter of the City of Madison Swimming Pool. Bob was a longtime member of the Madison Lions Club and served a term as District Governor. ��Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Laurel Fry, and his wife, Elma May Johnson Fry, who died on December 28, 2015. He is survived by children: Lawrence Fry (and wife Penny) of Lawrence, Mary Beth Davies (and husband, Scott) of Newton, Kansas. Grandchildren are Megan Davies and Joshua Fry (and wife, Leena Phadke Fry). A great-grandson is Toland Devesh Fry. Also surviving are two sisters Dorothy Parsons of Emporia and Jeanette Armstrong of Lawrence, and one brother Richard Fry of Carrolton, Texas. ��Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Madison United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Janesville Cemetery in Hamilton, Kansas. The family will receive friends Wednesday from noon until to service time at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison United Methodist Church and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral home at Box #488, Madison, Kansas 66860. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.��

Service:

2:00 P.M., Wednesday

January 13, 2016��

Madison United Methodist Church

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Visitation:

One Hour Prior To Services

Wednesday��

Madison United Methodist Church