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Liberty, Missouri: Rhino Tombstone

A large rhinoceros sculpture marks the resting place of a child.

Address:
235 Shrader St., Liberty, MO
Directions:
Fairview Cemetery, close to the far NW corner of the cemetery near Thornton St. and Shrader St.
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Rhinoceros headstone.

Rhinoceros Headstone

My husband and I lived across the street from Fairview cemetery for 11 years. It is indeed the gravestone of an 8 year old boy named Ryan Vandebroder. His nickname was "Ryan the Rhino" (this information came to us via his maternal grandfather, who worked with my husband at the Hallmark distribution in Liberty). Ryan wanted to play football, but was a little overweight. He was working out in the family garage on a treadmill. Because it was a very hot August day, Ryan became overheated and suffered a heat stroke. He passed away on August, 26, 2004. I know the date is correct because we had just buried my mom on the 26th the same year.

The rhino monument was erected the following May in 2005. It did and probably will always attract attention. Many people would stop and just walk around the grand monument, and some would even ask us what we knew of its significance.

[Martha S White, 03/31/2016]
Rhino Headstone

The rhino headstone is for a boy named Ryan. His nickname was "Rhino." He passed away after overheating during a football practice. Ryan lived in the area and went to a nearby elementary school. So for Liberty, it is a very precious and sweet reminder of this little boy.

[Mary, 10/20/2013]

Rhinoceros tombstone.

Rhino Tombstone

Very nicely sculpted rhinoceros over the grave of a 9-year-old boy.

[Don D, 06/27/2011]
Rhino Tombstone

This is certainly here, but we stopped to read the headstone. This is the grave of a 9 year old boy, who died in 2005. No idea about the rhino; maybe he liked rhinos. There were plastic toys between the rhino's feet, which were placed there recently.

[Carol, 05/25/2011]

Rhino Tombstone.

Rhino Tombstone

As we were trying to find a place to eat lunch in Liberty, our GPS had us turn down the wrong road, and there in the second or third row of the Cemetery was a rhino tombstone. I just had to get a picture, but don't know the story behind it or anything else. Maybe someone local can find out.

[Janice, 08/23/2009]

Nearby Offbeat Places

China Slaughter, Crossing GuardChina Slaughter, Crossing Guard, Liberty, MO - < 1 mi.
Jesse James Bank MuseumJesse James Bank Museum, Liberty, MO - < 1 mi.
Truman Presidential LibraryTruman Presidential Library, Independence, MO - 10 mi.
In the region:
Art and Mini-Golf, Kansas City, MO - 16 mi.

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