Robert Hutcheson McFarland (Bob) passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at his home with family by his side. He was born July 25, 1933 in Superior, Nebraska where his father was pastor of the Superior and Beulah congregations in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA). He attended elementary school first in Quinter (KS) when his father became pastor of that congregation, and later in Topeka when his father accepted the position of Executive Director of the Christian Amendment Movement.

Bob graduated from high school in Sterling, Kansas, attended Sterling College for one year, and graduated from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.  He received his seminary training at the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned a Masters of Education degree from Indiana University. He was taken under care as a student of theology and licensed to preach the gospel by Midwest Presbytery of the RPCNA.

Bob was ordained as a minister of the Gospel on November 27, 1959.  He served as pastor of the Rose Point (PA) Reformed Presbyterian congregation for four years.  He then moved his family to Wichita, Kansas where he taught Social Studies for the Wichita Public School system.  In 1966 he was installed as the minister of the Quinter (KS) Reformed Presbyterian Church, and pastored this church for 17 years. During his time in Quinter, eleven student interns participated in summer training programs designed by Bob. Several of these interns came from Northern Ireland. In 1980 Bob exchanged churches with Rev. Robert McCollum in Ballylaggan, Northern Ireland.  During this time his youngest daughter, Nancy attended high school at Dalriada School in Ballymoney Northern Ireland.  This initial exchange led to interim pulpit exchanges at six different Irish Reformed Presbyterian churches over a period of nine years.

In 1983 Bob was appointed by the Synod of the RPCNA as Director of Educational Services and Youth Ministries, a post he held for four years.  The Topeka (KS) RPCNA congregation called him to be their pastor in 1987.  He continued in this capacity until 1998.  During this time, he also served on various boards and committees of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod, Geneva College Board of Corporators and Trustees, and was Moderator of Synod in 2003.

In 1958, Robert H. McFarland married Georgia Ann Wilson.  They were blessed with three children:  Rick (who married Ruth), Allison, and Nancy (who married Norman McCollum).  Bob loved spending time with his children and grandchildren:  Jordan (Chris) Jordan, Emmaline (Cameron) McCauley, Erin (Andrew) Morison, Emily (Steve) Olson, Eleanor (Gareth) Lamberton, Reuben (Kirsty) McCollum, and Nathanael (Karla) McCollum.  Bob and Georgia's children's children are enlarging the family group with Calum, Evie, Alice, Saige, Eric, Sophia, Joel, Arthur, and three soon-to-be-born.

Celebration of life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May, 27, 2023 at Topeka Reformed Presbyterian Church, 8345 SW 33rd Street Topeka, KS 66614. Private family burial will be at Winchester Reformed Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Topeka Reformed Presbyterian Church or Midland Hospice Care c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088. To leave a special message for the family please visit, www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of His power.  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach…the unsearchable riches of Christ…

Ephesians 3:7-10