Robert Lee Sharp, 83, Osawatomie, died May 28, 2001, at Olathe Medical Center.

Known as "Bob" he was born May 20, 1918, the son of Alvin Lee and Mary Ethel Drake Sharp. He grew up in Osawatomie and was a 1937 graduate of Osawatomie High School.

He was married to Lottie Pauline Henness on Oct. 27, 1940, in Mound City. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of eight children. They moved to Lee's Summit, Mo., in 1943.

He worked in the grain door shop for Missouri Pacific Railroad before moving to Lee's Summit, where he worked at the Lake City Ammunition Plant.

He then served with the U. S. Navy during World War II with the rank of fireman first class. He was on a ship in Tokyo Bay when the surrender was signed with Japan. Mr. Sharp served in six of the major South Pacific battles and was honorably discharged Oct. 25, 1945.

After his discharge, he returned to Osawatomie and to Missouri Pacific Railroad as a freight clerk in the depot. He was employed as a postal clerk from 1951 to 1981 for the U.S. Postal Service in Osawatomie.

His memberships included the First Presbyterian Church and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 921, both of Osawatomie. He was a former member of the Osawatomie Lions Club, the American Legion of Paola and the American Postal Workers Union.

Those preceding him in death were a son Wayne Sharp, and a brother, Richard Sharp.

Surviving are his wife, Pauline Sharp of the home; seven children, Bob Sharp of Sarasota, Fla., Donald Sharp of Palestine, Texas, Susan Hiles of Overland Park, Mark Sharp and Allen Sharp of Osawatomie, and Eric Sharp of Chillicothe, Mo., and Lisa Presley of Spring Hill; a brother, Alvin Sharp of Independence, Mo.; two sisters, Betty Spooner of Independence, Mo., and Shirley Comstock of Waverly, Kan.; 25 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Services and inurnment were Saturday in the Fontana Cemetery under the direction of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie.

Memorials may be made to Kansas State University Cancer Research.