Robert Eugene Britt, 96, of Horton, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 16th at his home surrounded by loved ones.

He was born May 3, 1928, in Seneca Kansas to Wilda Stine Britt and Elisha Britt. He earned the nickname Corky from a beloved uncle because he was born the same day as Corky from the comic strip Gasoline Alley.

Robert graduated from Seneca High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Army at age 18. He served on active duty in Korea for a year. Upon return, he remained in the military in the Army Reserves and National Guard. He was promoted through the ranks retiring as a Captain. He served as a commanding officer in an Army Reserve unit in Seneca, Ks. before his military retirement. He was a past member of the VFW and the American Legion. After active duty he returned home to begin employment with the Kansas Highway Commission where he worked as a civil engineer in Marysville.  In 1976, the family moved to Horton where he continued working for KDOT. In 1997 he retired from KDOT after nearly 50 years of employment. In 1960 he married the love of his life, LaVelda Messick in Marysville, KS. They were married for 60 yrs. He was always by her side until her death in 2020.

Robert had many hobbies in retirement. LaVelda enlisted him for help with many craft projects. He also loved working in his yard planting fake flowers and mowing whether the yard needed it or not. Many times he rode his lawnmower around the yard with a grandchild on his lap. He loved anything with a motor, owning boats, motorcycles, and many cars and trucks. He could often be found tinkering in his garage on one of those. He was last seen riding his moped around Horton at the age of 92.

He never knew a stranger and loved to visit with anyone he met. He always had a peppermint or butterscotch candy to give to anyone he met. He was the kindest and most gentle man you could ever meet.

His favorite "motor" was a one horsepower pony named Beauty.  He received Beauty as a gift from a beloved uncle when he was 12. thus grew his lifelong love of horses. He owned many horses and participated in many horse events earlier in his life while living in Marysville, KS. He competed in horseshows regularly in Marysville KS. and in northeast KS and won many events with a quarterhorse named Queenie. He was active in trailrides in the northern Flint hills as well as cattle drives.

Last but no way least was his love for his family and especially his grandchildren.
He was an amazing human being who showered his family with so much love and compassion. He loved attending any events they participated in. He always praised and supported them. He always said how much we made him proud. He was not just grandpa or dad. He was our best friend, our mentor, and our rock.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife LaVelda, daughter of Sylvia and Moody Messick, brother Leroy, and his parents.

Robert is survived by son Robert Gene Britt of Lyndon Kansas, Tracy Britt of Everest, Kansas (Alisa), daughter Shelly Curtis of Topeka, Kansas (William) daughter Deanna Meisenheimer of Hiawatha, Kansas (Gary); grandchildren Dane and Kady Curtis, Nicholas and Casey Britt, Nathan Britt, Bethany and Joey Gonzalez, Megan Vega, Keely and Alex Fink; great grandchildren; Mia Britt, Mac Fink and Joseph Gonzalez Jr; a niece Jackie Britt Messick (Stanley) of Idaho Falls, Idaho and many great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025, at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton Kansas. Burial will be at the Horton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to N.E.K. Home Health and Hospice and may be sent in care of the mortuary.