Robert Stanley Todd

Robert “Bob” Stanley Todd, 88, currently of Moberly, Missouri passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Aspire Nursing Facility in Moberly, Missouri. Bob was born on January 14, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee, the only child of George Stanley Todd and Artie Lee Lawrence Todd.

Bob graduated from Lutheran High School, in St. Louis, MO, and then from the University of Missouri, School of Journalism in 1960. He married Patricia Painter Todd (9/18/1939 – 12/13/2018) of Boonville, Mo, in 1959.

Bob began his career working for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in Pratt, Kansas. He soon returned to Missouri, to run the Jackson office of the Southeast Missourian Regional Newspaper.

Having grown up in St. Louis, Bob’s youthful joy was weekend camping and fishing trips with his parents on Lake Wappapello in Southeast Missouri (SEMO). Later, Bob remembered the trips, and he knew St. Louis folks would subscribe to an outdoor magazine promoting SEMO tourism and recreation. Following this vision and exploiting his own insatiable curiosity, Bob founded The River Hills Traveler, a monthly, outdoor news magazine. He and wife, Pat, explored and reported on the outdoor wonders and activities of all types in southeastern Missouri for more than 40 years.

They expanded their publishing to include tourist travel guides, brochures with maps of the local lakes, rivers and outdoor attractions. Bob published writings by budding outdoor authors, giving several their start, and he loved talking about conservation politics while floating and fishing a local stream.

Bob was a fierce defender of these natural resources, often using his platform to promote environmental stewardship or to challenge a controversial topic. He was selected as the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM)Conservation Communicator of the Year in 1977, and he then received the CFM Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.

In 1980, Bob and Pat moved to the Piedmont, MO, area to more centrally locate their publishing operation at their beloved “Over the Hill Farm”, a 140-acre timber farm on Clark Mountain. Bob made a routine of doing TSI (timber stand improvement) work each morning. They hunted there, opened the woods with trails, tended a huge hummingbird population and graciously welcomed visitors. Beyond the farm, they most enjoyed entertaining guests and introducing them to the clear, spring-fed rivers of the area with a float trip or fishing expedition.

As age started taking its toll, Bob and Pat sold The Traveler and moved to the Columbia MO, area, where they had met so many years ago, and to be nearer to their daughter and family. Bob’s final couple of years were supported efficiently and with grace through the Aspire Nursing facility and staff in Moberly, Mo. and with the knowledgeable, attentive staff of St. Croix Hospice.

Bob is survived by their children, Boyd Todd (Marjorie), Festus, Mo., and Kimberly Todd Dickerson (Bud), Moberly, Mo and by their grandchildren, Jessica Todd Wagoner, Holley Todd Blanchard (Mike), Nelson Todd (Colleen), Shannon Dickerson Stevens (Popi) and Sam Dickerson (Fiancée, Ashley Fuller) and their great grandchildren Andrew Wright, Eathan Wright, Justice Wilson, Myah Blanchard, Lucas Wagoner, soon-to-be Ellie Todd, River Stevens, and Zeke Stevens.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Todd; and parents, George and Artie Todd.

Family and friends will gather at a gravel bar along the St. Francis River to celebrate and remember Bob at 1:00 pm on October 17th at Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson, MO.

If desired, donations in memory of Bob may be sent to the Conservation Federation of Missouri at 728 West Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559, www.confedmo.org.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.