Topeka businessman dies at 92

When Bob Taggart received a national award in November 2017 from the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, he spent most of his acceptance speech deflecting attention away from himself, instead thanking others who had touched his life.

Those who knew Taggart said it was just like him to give other people credit for his accomplishments.

Taggart, a longtime Topeka businessman who until recently was active in the local real estate and appraisal business, died Saturday at age 92.

Longtime acquaintances and friends described Taggart as thoughtful, kind, generous, energetic and humble.

He was always quick to flash a grin and share a smile, and he kept in touch with many of his friends, some of whom he had known for more than 80 years.

This past May, he organized a luncheon for several longtime friends at the Capitol Plaza Hotel when former Topeka High classmate and world-renowned composer Kirke Mechem was in town for a visit.

Among those at the luncheon were Mechem and his wife, Donata; Jim Sallee; Dick Ryan; and Jerry Rogers. All were in their 90s.

Taggart's daughter, Robin Hannigan, said her father "kept the post office busy," clipping newspaper articles and sending them to friends across the country.

In addition to his friends, family and business pursuits, Taggart retained close ties for more than 70 years with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 2017, the national fraternity presented Taggart with the Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award. It was the top national alumni honor presented by the fraternity, which has its national headquarters in Oxford, Ohio.

Taggart was selected for years of dedication and service to his family, the Phil Delta Theta chapter at Washburn University and the greater Topeka community.

“I was very surprised,” Taggart said in a February 2017 interview. “It was quite an honor.”

Taggart, a lifelong Topeka resident, grew up in the College Hill neighborhood and attended Randolph Elementary School, Boswell Junior High School and Topeka High School before he went to Washburn University.

Taggart said he “always had an association with Washburn through the years” and tried to be helpful to the fraternity in a behind-the-scenes way.

Taggart was initiated into the fraternity on June 25, 1944, and in 1947 left Washburn to enlist in the Merchant Marines. He later returned to Washburn and resumed his involvement in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Taggart graduated from Washburn in 1951.

Beyond his donations, Taggart helped raise money for projects at the fraternity house, located near S.W. 19th and Washburn Avenue, on the east side of the campus. Most recently, Taggart had large Greek letters placed on the south side of the renovated fraternity house.

In 1951, after his graduation from Washburn, Taggart opened the Love, Taggart and Robb real estate company with Ed Love and Ron Robb. That firm was involved in many aspects of real estate, including home sales; building residential subdivisions and apartment complexes; and developing shopping centers, including the Brookwood Shopping Center near S.W. 29th and Oakley.

He later founded the Robert C. Taggart appraisal company, now known as Taggart and Associates. Until recently, he remained active in that business, along with his daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Bob Hannigan, who also are appraisers.

In addition to his business endeavors, Taggart was active in politics, serving in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1957 to 1960 and in the Kansas Senate from 1961 to 1968. He also was active in a number of local groups and organizations, including at Washburn University.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and two children, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1275 S.W. Boswell.