Noted businessman and philanthropist Robert W. Plaster died at his home in Evergreen, Missouri today. Plaster was 78.

The Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon, Missouri is handling service arrangements. In a news release, the funeral home said details of Plaster's death will be released later.

Plaster created Empire Gas, which for a time was one of the nation's largest propane distributors. He sold the company in 1996.

The student union and stadium at Missouri State University bear his name, as does the stadium at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar and the business education building at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout.

Plaster is also at the center of a statewide controversy arising from his efforts to turn his Table Rock Lake property into a village. Plaster had successfully incorporated his property south of Lebanon in 1988.

Visitation for Plaster is Monday night from 7 - 9 PM at Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon. His funeral will be Tuesday at 2 PM, also at Holman-Howe.