HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A prominent business man and the founder of Peel’s Salon Service has died. Robert Henry “Bob” Peel, died at his home on Tuesday. He was 89. Peel was born Jan. 14, 1927, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Robert Henry and Lillie Mae (Garbett) Peel.

Bob spent most of his life in Hutchinson, graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1944. He attended Hutchinson Community College for one semester before joining the United States Navy in 1945. After his one and a half years of service to the United States Navy, he returned to Hutchinson and married his wife of 65 years, Esther “Lou” Benson, who died in July of 2013.

Bob had a 67-year career with Peel’s Salon Service. By 2010, Peel’s Salon Service had grown to 700 employees, with four distribution centers and 60 stores. In 1985, Lou, Bob Sr., Bob Jr., and Kris were on the hijacked TWA Flight 847. All family members survived the ordeal, but it changed their lives forever. Raising money and supporting multiple charities became a family focus. In 2013, The Bob and Lou Peel Allied Health Center at Hutchinson Community College was created.

Bob will be forever remembered by his family: children, Bob and Kris Peel, Bill and Susan Peel; along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams, Hutchinson, with Pastor David Dubovich presiding. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Private family burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

A Celebration of Life reception for all of Bob’s friends will be held starting at 4:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at the Hutchinson Town Club, 200 E. Sherman St.. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association has been established.