Robert Edward Hite, 60, of Emporia, died at his home Oct. 26, 2008.

Born April 18, 1948 in Chicago, Ill., he was the son of Robert William and Edith (Engbrecht) Hite.

On July 16, 2005, he married Nancy Groneman of Emporia.

He served as a captain the U.S. Air Force, flying in missions in Vietnam.

Robert was a dean of the school of business at Emporia State University from 2003 to 2008, and held the Jones Distinguished Professorship.

Preceding him in death were his parents and an infant daughter, Robin.

Survivors include his wife; three children, Robert Paul Hite of Lawrence, Nicholas Hite of Manhattan, and Antonia Edith Hite of Charlottesville, Va.; and a sister, Jennifer Hite of California.

Funeral services were today (Wednesday) at Messiah Lutheran Church, Emporia with Pastor Alan Stahlecker of St. John Lutheran Church of Lincolnville presiding. Burial was at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Lincolnville Cemetery, Lincolnville.

Memorial funds have been established with Messiah Lutheran Church of Emporia and the University of Kansas Cancer Center and may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State Street, Emporia KS 66801.