Robert Dean “Bob” Ames
August 26, 1944 – July 18, 2021
Robert Dean “Bob” Ames, 76, passed away July 18 at his home with his faith in the Lord still strong after a long multi-year battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Bob was born on August 26, 1944, in Chanute, Kansas, to James Wilbur and Margaret Lucille (Shorter) Ames. On April 5, 1968, he and Linda Marlene Barlow were united in marriage at Humboldt, Kansas. They remained devoted and happily married for 53 years. Bob graduated from Chanute High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Kansas State University in 1966, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho agriculture fraternity. He received an advanced banking degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1975. He also served in the Kansas Army National Guard from 1967 to 1973, when he was honorably discharged. Bob’s banking career started at Humboldt National Bank, where he began at the newly created position of Agriculture Loan Officer and finished as a Chairman of the Board and President after a 35-year tenure. He served as the Chairman of the Bank Management committee of the Kansas Bankers Association for three years and also a term on their Board of Directors. Bob also served on the USD 258 School Board and the Neosho County Community College Foundation Board for a number of years.
Leo Glenn Swogger Jr., M.D.
August 28, 1935 – August 7, 2021
With heartfelt thanks and gratitude, Kaw Valley Bank recognizes the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Glenn Swogger to the bank and the Topeka Community. Dr. Swogger followed his grandfather and father’s leadership roles at Kaw Valley Bank as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1982 to 2017. During his tenure as Chairman, Swogger was known for truly caring about every Kaw Valley Bank employee. He was very engaging and developed relationships with all members of the Kaw Valley Bank team through steadfast determination, support and leadership. Glenn and his wife, Claire, are ardent supporters of the Topeka Community, touching many with their generosity. Kaw Valley Bank will forever honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Glenn Swogger Jr. He will be missed by all.
Thomas Michael “Mike” McCauley
April 2, 1954- August 24, 2021
Michael “Mike” McCauley, Senior Investment Officer in First Option Bank’s Financial Services Department and host of the weekly “Market Insights with Mike” series, passed away on August 24, 2021. He has been a part of First Option Bank’s family since 2017 and will be greatly missed. Even though the last eight months of life were not the best, he said he lived an enjoyable life with a good dose of adventure and the hope that he made a difference. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.