VALLEY CENTER – Daniels, Dr. Robert M., "Doc", 88, beloved physician, farmer, husband, father, and grandfather, passed peacefully into eternal life, surrounded by his children, his best buddy, grandson Christopher Porter, and his favorite cat, Felix, On Saturday, Aug. 18, he succumbed to cancer. Born Jan. 20, 1924, in Salina to the late Edith Daniels, he was raised during the depression and quickly learned the value of a hard days' work by working as a bicycle messenger throughout high school. After receiving a letter stating his family and friends recommended he be drafted, he entered the United States Army. He served as a telegraph operator while earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. After honorable discharge, the GI bill provided the means to a college education, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Wesleyan University in Salina Kansas in chemistry. He went on to graduate from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he met his wife of 54 years, Norma L. Staab. He completed his residency at St. Francis Hospital, then opened a solo practice in Valley Center with the encouragement and assistance of George White, the local pharmacist. He practiced in Valley Center until 1965. Over the next 12 years, "Doc" Daniels built a thriving practice in the Valley Center community, seeing patients not only in the office, but also making house calls as needed. In 1967, under his vision and leadership, Via Christi on St. Francis established what was at that time the first emergency room in Kansas – and only the third in the nation - to be staffed around-the-clock, weekends, and holidays by physicians. He closed his general practice in Valley Center that year to serve as head of the hospital's Emergency Room, a position he held until 1975. The sisters of the Sorrowful Mothers provided for a mission trip to St. Lucia island to help establish a medical facility for the underserved. He was there for six weeks. Dr. Daniels was also appointed as Sedgwick County coroner in 1967, and retained the position for 36 years. He enjoyed farming, spending time with his family and grandchildren, serving his community and church, and supporting his wife, the late Sen. Norma Daniels, with her political career. His life was a masterpiece marked by love, kindness, generosity, and endearing humor. He and his wife Norma raised seven children with a strong work ethic, following the golden rule and treat others as you would like to be treated, giving of ourselves and time to serve others, which they modeled throughout their lives. His strong sense of right and wrong, and fairness, never complaining without a solution, and always a sense of optimism made him a friend to all he met. He is preceded in death by his wife, Norma and son, David, his mother, Edith, and brother, Norbert, grandmother Mary Carlson and great-grandmother, Johanna Bloom. He is survived by a son, Robert M. II and wife, Deborah Daniels, Valley Center, and six daughters, Mary Porter, Kathryn Daniels, Jeanne Daniels, Dr. Patricia Petrakis, and Peggy Marisa Daniels, all of Valley Center, and Sr. Susanne Daniels, CSJ, Wichita, and best buddy, grandson Christopher, and other grandchildren, James, Andrew, Robert III, Nicole, Elizabeth, Bella, Joe, Dominic, and Gabriel, and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Stepstone c/o Mission Advancement Office, 1329 S. Bluffview, Wichita, 67218; online donations at www.csjdearneighbor.org/donate.htm. Visitation 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, at Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center. Rosary 6 p.m., Thursday, August 23; Mass 10 a.m., Friday, August 24, both will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church, 3030 N. Amidon, Wichita. Burial following the service at Hillside Cemetery, Sedgwick, Kansas with military honors. Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center. www.bakerfhvc.com