Robert Kent Melton

Robert Kent Melton
May 16, 1933 - October 10, 2026

Robert Kent Melton was born May 16, 1933 in Warsaw, Missouri, the first-born son of Jesse Paul Melton and Eleanor Louise Sherrard Melton. Known as Kent by family and friends, he attended primary school in a country, one-room school house where his father taught the children. His family moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he attended Wyandotte High School. Active in sports, he also played violin in the school orchestra, where he met Audrey, a cellist and the love of his life. They were married August 21, 1955, and returned to Kansas University (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas to finish school. He received a degree in geology. After graduation, he worked six months as an oilrig roughneck, “throwing chains” connecting drill pipes in the oilfields of Kansas.

After completing Air Force ROTC at KU, he served three years as a supply officer in Curlew, Washington. The military base was an isolated Pinetree Line of defense radar site, on the Canadian border. Following active duty, he served in the Missouri Air National Guard with the 131st Tactical Fighter Wing in St. Louis, retiring as Colonel R.K. Melton.

He retired as regional manager for Traveler’s Insurance Company, St. Louis, MO after thirty years. Having achieved the professional designations CLU, CHFC and CFP, he specialized in estate and pension planning. After retirement, Kent initiated and helped establish the endowment program for Trinity Lutheran Church and worked on fundraising for Wings of Hope.

Kent loved playing racket ball in competitive leagues, playing golf and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the lake house at Lake of the Ozarks. He was an avid reader. A member of the World Affairs Council, he and Audrey loved to travel. Kent found time to earn his pilot’s license, a life-long dream. Kent and Audrey appreciated classical music and were St. Louis Symphony season ticket holders. Making home-made ice cream for the family was a specialty and a celebrated tradition.

Kent’s greatest treasure was his family. Kent is survived by his loving wife, Audrey, married seventy-one years; his children, Paula Melton, Garry and daughter-in-law Kristy Melton; grandchildren Cody Melton (Lydia), Seth Allison (Daphne), Sarah Allison Bredar (William), Kade Melton (Allie) and Jared Melton (Illy); and great-grandchildren, Evariste, Adeline, Kennedy Rose, Elsie Ann and Audrey Allison. He also leaves Karen Schultz, his sister; nieces, cousins and dear friends. Kent is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Paul Melton and Eleanor Louise Melton, brother Gordon Dean Melton and brother-in law David Otto Andersen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO. 63017

Services: A Celebration of Robert's Life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO Friday, November 20, 2026. A memorial gathering will be held at 10:00 a.m. with the memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. A light lunch at 12:00 p.m. will be held at the conclusion of the memorial service.

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.