Robert Ethelbert Pilcher was the son of James Henry Daniel Pilcher (1850-1930) and Sarah Rebecca Courtney Pilcher (1857-1908).

Nickname: Bert

Glasco Sun, December 1, 1932, page 1:
Robert Ethelbert Pilcher was born January 22, 1894, near Glasco, Kansas, and passed away at his home near Abilene, Kansas, November 27, 1932 at the age of 38 years, 10 months and 4 days. He lived in Kansas all his life excepting a few years spent in Oklahoma, and the time that he voluntarily devoted to the service of his country. In June, 1916 he enlisted for Border Service, and was stationed at Eagle Pass, Texas, until December of that year. He was transferred into the national Army on August 5, 1917. He arrived at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma Oct. 1, 1917. He left for New York April 14, 1918, and sailed for France April 25, arriving at Liverpool, England May 8, and landed at LeHarve, France May 11. From July 1 to 23 he was in the trenches near Mitt Lach, Alsace. From August 17 to September 4 he was in the trenches near Granges in the Vosges. September 12 to 18, his company participated in the battle of San Mehiel, and September 26 to October 1, in the battle of the Argonne forest. From October 14 to November 6, 1918, he was in the trenches near Somme Dene. He left France April 25, 1919. He was honorably discharged June 10, 1919. He served with the 137th Infantry, the 138th Infantry, and with the 110th Field Battalion, all in the 35th Division.

On January 13, 1921, he was married to Miss Inez Brinkman. To this union four children were born: Melvin, Doris, Duane and Dean. For several years he was a rural mail carrier, working on the route south west of Delphos. For the past three years he has lived near Abilene, Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Inez Pilcher, three sons and one daughter. Two sisters, Mrs. Chloe Louthan, of Glasco, Kansas; Mrs. Grace Pearson, South Sioux City, Nebraska; six brothers: Frank, of Humboldt, Kansas; Harry of Delphos, Lester and Ray of Glasco, Mac of Mont Ida, Kansas; and Gaylord of Concordia. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Louis. He was a good husband and a kind father. He would be sadly missed by his family, many relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church yesterday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Attree Smith.

Burial was in Glasco Cemetery, where the members of the Arthur Pilcher Post of the American Legion had charge of the service and laid their comrade to rest with military honors.