Rev. Robert Banning Alexander, born on February 15, 1902, in Blue Mound, Kansas, attended high school in his hometown before earning his A.B. at Baker University. He spent two summers at Omaha Seminary, completed the Conference Course of Study in 1929, and also attended an additional year at Washburn College, for a total of 20 hours above those required for the degree. Admitted on trial in 1924 in St. Marys, Kansas, he was admitted to full membership in the Kansas Conference in 1927 and was ordained a Deacon on that date; he was ordained an Elder in 1929. Rev. Alexander married Mable B. Kesselring (1904-1982) on February 4, 1924. Their children were Shirley Ruth (birth year not known, died 1933), Paul Robert (born 1934) and Marilyn Adair (born 1938). Rev. Alexander served at Michigan Valley (1925), DeSoto (11926), Edgerton (1928), Highland (1930), Pomona (1934), Scranton (1937), McLouth (1939), Allen-Bushong (1941), Galesburg-Excelsior-St. Paul-South Mound (1943), Crawford Co. Larger Parish (1949), Spring Hill-Bucyrus (1952), White City (1957), Zion (1962), and Overland-Bethel (1966). After his retirement, he served at the Vinand UMC until his death. Rev. Alexander died on August 20, 1971. His services were held at the United Methodist Church at Wellsville, and his burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Topeka.

Note written by Sarah St. John