Robert Lee Ballard, 83, died March 30, 2013 at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. He was born May 11, 1929 at Akron, Colorado, the son of Arlie Z. and Blanche Lee (Shell) Ballard. A graduate of Akron High School, he was a United States Navy veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. On August 16, 1950, he married Virginia McEwen at Territorial, Hawaii. He worked as a seismographer in the oilfield until his retirement. Robert was a Hoisington resident since 1965 coming from Hays, Kansas. He attended Trinity United Methodist Church, Great Bend. He enjoyed cars and spending time with grandchildren. He was a fan of college football, the Kansas City Chiefs and NASCAR. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Ballard, of the home, and four daughters: Barbara Tournear and her husband Ron, Debra Giebler and her husband Steve, and Linda Pringle and her husband Steve, all of Great Bend, and Patricia Ballard of the home. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Dana Baxter and her husband Mike of Farmington, Maine; Marcia Dietz and her husband Mike of Great Bend; Ann Haase and her husband Wyatt of Fairway, Kansas; Captain Andrew Giebler, United States Air Force of Washington, D.C.; Amie Scheuerman and her husband Brandon of Ellinwood; Jackie Pringle of Lawrence; and Kevin Pringle of Lawrence; and four great-grandchildren: Alexandra Baxter, Danielle Baxter, Hunter Baxter, and Sawyer Haase. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Malachi Ballard, Frank Ballard, William Ballard, and Albert Ballard; and three sisters, Edith Bailey, Betty Robertson, and Beatrice Shook. Funeral service will be Monday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home with Pastor Jeffrey Slater officiating. A Private family interment will be held at Hoisington Cemetery, Hoisington. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 7, 2013 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington. Memorials in Lieu of Flowers are suggested to Clara Barton Hospital or Sunflower Diversified Services, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P. O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.