Robert W. Plaster was born on September 3, 1930, in Neosho, Missouri, during one of the toughest economic eras in American history. As the founder and creator of the Empire Gas Corporation and the creator of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation, he built an empire that continues to influence education, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. From his modest beginnings to establishing a Robert Plaster business empire and a philanthropic foundation, Plaster’s story is a beacon of his entrepreneurial spirit and community service.
He built Empire Gas Corporation, turning it into a leading propane distributor across the Midwest, and his Robert Plaster real estate investments, venture capital, and technology further fueled his Robert Plaster wealth growth. His $1.3 billion net worth at the time of his death and projected by analysts to have exceeded $5 billion projected estate by 2024, reflects a lifetime of strategic success that continues to inspire entrepreneurs, educators, and philanthropists worldwide.
Robert Plaster Bio Wiki
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Robert Wayne Plaster |
| Date of Birth | September 3, 1930 |
| Place of Birth | Neosho, Missouri, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Date of Death | October 11, 2008 |
| Age at Death | 78 years old |
| Place of Death | Evergreen, Missouri, near Lebanon, Missouri |
| Parents | Robert Osborn Plaster & Elsie L. Honeycutt Plaster |
| Spouse | Mary Jean Plaster (later Jean Plaster) |
| Children | 4 — Stephen Plaster, Cheryl Plaster Schaefer, Tammy Plaster Brown, Dolly Plaster Clement |
| Grandchildren | 9 grandchildren |
| Education | Joplin Junior College (now Missouri Southern State University) — studied Accounting (left after 3 semesters) |
| Honorary Degrees | Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration — Southwest Baptist University; Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters — Missouri Southern State University |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Businessman, Philanthropist |
| Known For | Founding Empire Gas Corporation; Robert W. Plaster Foundation |
| Company Founded | Empire Gas Corporation (1963) |
| Other Business | Evergreen Investments LLC (Chairman) |
| Industry | LP Gas Industry, Real Estate, Venture Capital |
| NYSE Listed | Yes — New York Stock Exchange |
| Empire Gas Sale | Sold to NorthWestern Public Service Co. in 1996 for $120 million |
| Personal Motto | “Can’t Never Could” |
| Net Worth at Death | Robert Plaster net worth at death — Estimated $50 million–$200 million (2008) |
| Estimated Net Worth (2024) | Projected over $5 billion (estate & investments) |
| Foundation Established | 1983 — Robert W. Plaster Foundation |
| Foundation Mission | Expand educational access & promote free enterprise system through named capital projects |
| Notable Buildings Named | Plaster Sports Complex, Plaster Student Union (Missouri State University); Plaster Stadium SBU, Plaster Guest Lodge; Robert W. Plaster School of Business (MSSU) |
| Notable Property | Evergreen Crystal Palace mansion — 25,000 sq ft above Table Rock Lake, Missouri |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted into Southwest Baptist University Athletics Hall of Fame (1999) |
| SIFE Role | Co-founder & Executive Board Member — Students in Free Enterprise SIFE |
| Board Memberships | Board of Trustees: Central Methodist College, College of the Ozarks; President: Southwest Missouri State University Foundation |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
Early Life and Background
Robert Wayne Plaster was born on September 3, 1930, and was raised in Neosho, Missouri. Robert Plaster’s early life was deeply shaped by the challenges of the Great Depression, a time of extreme financial hardship for many American families. Growing up in a modest household, this Southwest Missouri entrepreneur learned the value of hard work and perseverance from an early age. His mother often instilled in him the belief that “Can’t Never Could,” a phrase that became his personal motto throughout life.
Times were tough, and he began working as a young boy to help support the family. He worked at a local grocery store and maintained a paper route at Camp Crowder. After moving to Southwest Missouri, he developed a keen interest in business and attended Southwest Baptist University, where his mindset for success began to evolve, laying the foundation for his later Robert Plaster entrepreneurial spirit and achievements.
How Robert Plaster Gained Fame
In the 1950s, Robert Plaster founded Empire Gas Corporation, a company that became a giant in the LP gas industry. His success in the propane distribution industry quickly earned him recognition as a visionary entrepreneur. He is best known as the founder of the Empire Gas Corporation, one of the largest LP gas distributors in the country, and his career spanned several decades during which he built a vast fortune through wealth-building strategies, business acumen, and a relentless work ethic.
He perhaps became most widely known through his name, which graces buildings at several colleges and universities in Southwest Missouri, because of his Robert Plaster education donations over the years. His rags-to-riches story resonated with audiences, and he became deeply associated with free enterprise education and educational advancement in the region, drawing both local and national attention — a true embodiment of the American Dream.
Career Highlights & Achievements of Robert Plaster
Robert Plaster founded Empire Gas Corporation in 1963 and served as the chairman of the board of Empire until 1996. He also served as chairman for Evergreen Investments LLC, expanding his Robert Plaster business empire well beyond the gas industry. Empire Gas sold 1996 — Plaster sold Empire Gas to his son Steve and other Empire managers at the beginning of 1996, and later that year, the company was sold to NorthWestern Public Service for $120 million, which used the funds to start Cornerstone Propane Partners.
After selling Empire Gas Corporation, Plaster expanded his diversified business portfolio into technology, healthcare, and real estate. His iconic Evergreen Crystal Palace mansion — a 28,000-square-foot building made of green glass and marble — further solidified his status as a visionary business mogul. He was also instrumental in bringing Students in Free Enterprise SIFE to Southwest Baptist University in the 1980s, turning the organization into a global business movement reaching 1,500 colleges and universities in 46 countries.
Major Milestones in Business and Entrepreneurship
- After leaving Joplin Junior College due to financial hardship, Plaster worked for the U.S. Treasury Department and then for a liquid propane gas corporation, gaining the LP gas industry knowledge that would eventually fuel his Robert Plaster entrepreneurial spirit and ambitions.
- In 1963, he founded Empire Gas Corporation with just $25,000 of his own money and $2.5 million in loans, starting with only three employees and a bold vision to dominate the propane distribution industry.
- Empire Gas Corporation rapidly grew into one of the largest retail LP gas distributors in the United States and earned a prestigious listing on the New York Stock Exchange, transforming this Southwest Missouri entrepreneur into a nationally recognized business mogul.
- In 1996, the NorthWestern Public Service acquisition of Empire Gas for $120 million was a landmark deal that solidified his status as a self-made millionaire and opened the door to an entirely new chapter of Robert Plaster’s real estate investments and diversification.
- Following the Empire Gas sold 1996 deal, Plaster founded Evergreen Investments LLC, a diversified business portfolio venture capital firm that invested across real estate, technology, and healthcare, demonstrating his remarkable wealth-building strategies as a strategic investor.
- He also built the iconic Evergreen Crystal Palace mansion, a 25,000-square-foot mansion above Table Rock Lake designed by architect Dennis Spencer and valued at approximately $80 million, standing as the ultimate symbol of his Robert Plaster assets and architectural vision.
Philanthropy and Education Contributions
- In 1983, Robert Plaster’s philanthropy took formal shape when he established the Robert W. Plaster Foundation with the goal of funding building projects at colleges and universities, creating educational access for students who lacked the financial resources to pursue higher education.
- At Missouri State University donations funded the Plaster Sports Complex and the Plaster Student Union, while Southwest Baptist University Plaster named its football stadium — Plaster Stadium SBU — in his honor and Missouri Southern State University received both a Free Enterprise Center and a School of Business bearing his name.
- He was instrumental in bringing Students in Free Enterprise SIFE to Southwest Baptist University in the 1980s, helping grow it into a global organization reaching 1,500 colleges and universities across 46 countries, promoting free enterprise education worldwide.
- At Southwest Baptist University alone, his Robert Plaster education donations enabled the construction of Plaster Stadium SBU, Plaster Guest Lodge, the Mellers Conference Center, and the Taylor Free Enterprise Building, each reflecting his lifelong commitment to faith-centered education and the free enterprise system.
- In January 2024, the Robert W. Plaster Foundation awarded a major grant to North Greenville University to transform its historic Donnan Administration Building into a 20,000-square-foot Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, proving his Robert Plaster legacy continues to expand long after his passing.
- The Foundation primarily provides named capital projects naming gifts for Free Enterprise Centers and Schools of Business, typically housing entrepreneurship centers, trading labs, business incubators, and research centers for liberty, with a focus on Midwestern institutions aligned with Plaster’s philosophy of free enterprise education and conservative Christian values.
Public Image and Media Portrayal
The media portrayed Robert Plaster as a self-made millionaire who embodied the American Dream. His rags to riches story resonated with audiences and made him an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs. He was widely viewed as a generous philanthropist who supported numerous educational institutions, and despite his immense success, he remained committed to community development, particularly in the realm of free enterprise education.
Despite his considerable fortune reflecting his Robert Plaster net worth, Robert Plaster led a modest lifestyle. He avoided the luxurious excesses common among billionaires, lived practically, drove American cars for years, and maintained a low-profile presence in society. His down-to-earth Midwestern character stood in contrast to many high-profile business moguls, earning him a reputation for authenticity and genuine community development commitment rather than self-promotion.
Social Media and Legacy
Though not an early adopter of social media, Robert Plaster legacy continues to be celebrated online. His contributions to various industries and his commitment to Robert Plaster philanthropy are frequently highlighted on platforms such as LinkedIn and various business publications. His Robert Plaster biography is regularly cited in entrepreneurship discussions as a model of how wealth can be paired with purposeful giving.
A memorial was established to Students in Free Enterprise SIFE following his passing, reflecting the deep impact he had on the organization and the broader movement for free enterprise education. Robert Plaster strongly believed that entrepreneurial spirit and educational access were key drivers of economic prosperity, and he dedicated much of his later life to ensuring future generations had access to quality education — a financial legacy that continues to resonate today.
Family and Relationships
Robert Plaster is survived by his wife, Jean; a son, Stephen Plaster; and three daughters — Cheryl Plaster Schaefer, Tammy Plaster Brown, and Dolly Plaster Clement. He was also blessed with nine grandchildren and at least one great-grandchild. Behind the successful business mogul was a devoted family man. His strong bond with his family provided stability throughout his entrepreneurial journey, and his son, Stephen Plaster, later took on business and philanthropic responsibilities, ensuring his father’s Robert Plaster legacy lived on.
Despite his Robert Plaster net worth, Robert Plaster valued personal connections over wealth. He stayed grounded, maintaining lifelong friendships and preferring family gatherings to extravagant events. His personal values were deeply rooted in his Midwestern upbringing, and those who knew him often described his humility as one of his most defining qualities — a true mark of a self-made millionaire with heart.
Hobbies and Lifestyle
Robert Plaster led a modest lifestyle and avoided the extravagant habits common among the ultra-wealthy. He drove American cars for years and kept a low public profile, reflecting a Southwest Missouri entrepreneur who built an empire while staying true to his Midwestern values. He was known for finding satisfaction in building things — community development, businesses, and institutions — rather than in personal luxury.
One of his most remarkable personal projects was the creation of the Village of Twin Bridges, which he built on his own land in southern Laclede County in 1988, and which was later renamed Evergreen, Missouri in 2002. This project illustrated his passion for community development and his hands-on approach to shaping the world around him, reflecting a lifestyle as much defined by creation as by commerce.
Fun Facts You Didn’t Know
Plaster built the Evergreen Crystal Palace mansion — a stunning 28,000-square-foot building made entirely of green glass and marble — on a bluff over Table Rock Lake in 1991. It was originally intended as both a personal residence and a corporate retreat for Evergreen National Corporation, and it stands among Robert Plaster’s most iconic assets. In a notable Robert Plaster real estate investment transaction in 2019, the grand Robert Plaster Mansion in Springfield, Missouri, found new ownership under Scottish businessman Sir David McMurtry, who purchased it for around $4.4 million.
Robert Plaster gave $250,000 to Southwest Baptist University’s Plaster Sports Complex in 1984, and Plaster Stadium, SBU — the school’s football field — still bears his name today. He also donated $2.5 million to the College of the Ozarks in 1986 to build the Robert W. Plaster School of Business Building. These early Robert Plaster education donations were just the beginning of a giving spree that would eventually span decades and dozens of institutions, building true generational wealth through purpose.
How Robert Plaster Influences Culture & Trends
Robert Plaster was instrumental in building Students in Free Enterprise SIFE into a global organization reaching 1,500 colleges and universities across 46 countries. His support helped transform it from a small regional program into a worldwide movement promoting free enterprise education and business education. This influence helped shape a generation’s understanding of free enterprise system principles on campuses across the globe.
Plaster strongly believed that Robert Plaster’s entrepreneurial spirit and educational access were the key drivers of economic prosperity. He dedicated much of his later life to ensuring that future generations had access to quality education, influencing how communities in Southwest Missouri and beyond approached the relationship between business culture and academic life — cementing his Robert Plaster legacy for generations.
Impact on Business and Education
Schools on the receiving end of his Robert Plaster education donations included Missouri State University, donations funding the Plaster Sports Complex and Plaster Student Union; Southwest Baptist University, Plaster housing Plaster Stadium SBU; Missouri Southern State University housing both the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center and the Robert W. Plaster School of Business; as well as Crowder College and College of the Ozarks. He was the lead benefactor for the $6.5 million Robert W.
Plaster Free Enterprise Center at the Students in Free Enterprise SIFE world headquarters in Springfield.Mr. Plaster received honorary doctorates in Business Administration from Southwest Baptist University and in Humane Letters from Missouri Southern State University. He understood that hard work is the key to success and believed that the effectiveness of hard work is multiplied by a good education.
Robert Plaster’s Upcoming Projects
The Robert W. Plaster Foundation remains actively committed to expanding educational access and promoting the virtues of the American free enterprise system through named capital projects. Since his passing in 2008, the Foundation has continued his mission to help students in Southwest Missouri and the surrounding region get a better start in life with a high-quality, affordable education. The Foundation provides naming grants for brick-and-mortar projects, usually for educational institutions, and preferably with a free enterprise education focus — typically in the form of Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Centers or Robert W. Plaster Schools of Business.
In January 2024, the Robert W. Plaster Foundation awarded a major grant to North Greenville University’s capital campaign for the transformation of the historic Donnan Administration Building into a 20,000-square-foot Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, housing the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Around the same time, Campbellsville University also received a foundation grant to construct a new academic building for its School of Business, Economics, and Technology, with further plans to expand a Center for Business and Financial Literacy on campus — continuing his Robert Plaster legacy of community development.
Robert Plaster Fans and Legacy
The Robert W. Plaster Foundation stands on four cornerstones that are part of every project it supports: promoting educational access for students, empowering students for success, promoting free enterprise education, and continuing the Robert Plaster legacy. Admirers of his Robert Plaster biography — from educators and entrepreneurs to students across the Midwest — frequently cite his rise from Great Depression-era poverty as a defining model of determination and purposeful success embodying the American Dream.
Robert Plaster was widely viewed as a generous philanthropist who supported numerous educational institutions, and despite his immense success, remained committed to giving back to his community, particularly in the realm of free enterprise education. As his Foundation’s executive director, Jason Hannasch, noted, “Robert W. Plaster believed in God, country, hard work, and the free enterprise system,” and that philosophy continues to inspire the people and institutions that carry his name forward today.
The Lasting Influence of Robert Plaster
Robert Plaster was instrumental in bringing Students in Free Enterprise SIFE to Southwest Baptist University in the 1980s, turning the organization into a global business movement reaching 1,500 colleges and universities in 46 countries. He was the lead benefactor for the $6.5 million Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at the Students in Free Enterprise SIFE world headquarters in northeast Springfield, a building dedicated during his lifetime as a testament to his commitment to free enterprise education.
Plaster strongly believed that Robert Plaster’s entrepreneurial spirit and educational access were the key drivers of economic prosperity, and he dedicated much of his later life to ensuring future generations had access to quality education. The funding of named capital projects by his Foundation positions it to make sustainable and lasting investments into the future of the nation and promote the free enterprise system for all, ensuring his Robert Plaster legacy and financial legacy will be felt for generations to come.
Robert Plaster Biography
Robert Wayne Plaster was born on September 3, 1930, and raised in Neosho, Missouri. Robert Plaster’s early life was shaped by the challenges of the Great Depression, and growing up in a modest household, he learned the value of hard work and perseverance from an early age. In 1963, he founded Empire Gas Corporation, transforming a $25,000 investment and $2.5 million in loans into one of the leading companies in the propane distribution industry in the United States.
He sold Empire Gas Corporation in 1996 for $120 million to Northwestern Public Service Co. — the NorthWestern Public Service acquisition — giving him the financial freedom to explore new ventures. He subsequently established Evergreen Investments LLC, where he successfully built a diversified business portfolio into healthcare, technology, and real estate investments. Robert W. Plaster passed away on October 11, 2008, at his home in Evergreen, Missouri, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of 78, leaving behind a celebrated financial legacy as one of Southwest Missouri’s most influential business moguls and philanthropists.
Robert Plaster’s Net Worth Over the Years
Robert Plaster’s remarkable journey began with humble beginnings, and his Robert Plaster net worth grew steadily as Empire Gas Corporation expanded across the Midwest. His founding of the company in 1963 with a modest investment eventually yielded one of the region’s most dominant LP gas distributors, generating multi-million dollar revenues across several decades. By the 1970s and 1980s, his annual income and overall wealth growth were climbing fast.
During the peak years of Empire Gas Corporation, his monthly income was estimated to be well into the six-figure or seven-figure range, ultimately amounting to a multi-million dollar annual income.At the time of his death in 2008, Robert Plaster’s net worth at death was estimated between $50 million and $200 million, reflecting a diversified business portfolio income from his various business ventures.
In 2025, his estate’s $5 billion projected estate is estimated at around $5 billion, as his Robert Plaster wealth growth continues through Robert Plaster real estate investments, and the ongoing activities of Evergreen Investments LLC, with his family and foundation managing these Robert Plaster assets and building true generational wealth on his behalf.
Robert Plaster Source of Income
Robert Plaster’s source of income primarily came from his pioneering business, Empire Gas Corporation, which was one of the largest LP gas distributors in Missouri in the Midwest. This business provided him with a steady stream of revenue for years, but it was far from his only source of wealth. As the chairman of Evergreen Investments LLC, Plaster also capitalized on venture capital opportunities, investing in Robert Plaster’s real estate investments and other profitable enterprises.
These wealth-building strategies, combined with his successful gas company, helped him amass considerable Robert Plaster assets over time.
Robert Plaster’s wealth growth originated from a variety of sources, including substantial holdings in the LP gas industry, Robert Plaster’s real estate investments, and strategic technology investments in rapidly growing sectors. His Robert Plaster assets included not only Empire Gas Corporation — a consistently lucrative enterprise — but also his leadership role as chairman of Evergreen Investments LLC, a diversified business portfolio venture capital firm known for its astute investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Robert Plaster’s net worth?
Robert Plaster’s net worth was estimated between $50 million $200 million at death, with projections exceeding $5 billion by 2024.
When was Robert Plaster born?
Robert Plaster was born on September 3, 1930, in Neosho, Missouri, during the Great Depression.
When did Robert Plaster die?
Robert Plaster passed away on October 11, 2008, at the age of 78 at his home in Evergreen, Missouri.
Who was Robert Plaster’s wife?
Robert Plaster was married to Mary Jean Plaster, and together they raised four children.
What company did Robert Plaster found?
Robert Plaster founded Empire Gas Corporation in 1963, which became one of the largest LP gas distributors in the United States.
Conclusion
Robert Plaster’s journey from humble beginnings during the Great Depression to founding Empire Gas Corporation and building a $1.3 billion net worth is a true embodiment of the American Dream and the power of Robert Plaster’s entrepreneurial spirit. His Robert Plaster philanthropy through the Robert W. Plaster Foundation transformed educational access across Southwest Missouri, funding iconic landmarks like the Plaster Sports Complex, Plaster Student Union, and Plaster Stadium SBU that continue to shape young lives today.
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