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                                                                    Exhibit 24.1

                              ROBBINS & MYERS, INC.

                            LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                  WHEREAS, Robbins & Myers, Inc. (the "Company") intends to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended August 31, 1999:

                  NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned in his capacity as a
director of the Company hereby appoints Gerald L. Connelly his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999, (including any amendment to such
report) and any and all other instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name
and on behalf of the undersigned, in the aforesaid capacity, every act
whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby
ratifies and approves the act of said attorney.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this
instrument this 23rd day of November, 1999.

                                               /s/ Maynard H. Murch, IV
                                               --------------------------------
                                               Maynard H. Murch, IV

                                               /s/ Daniel W. Duval
                                               --------------------------------
                                               Daniel W. Duval

                                               /s/ Robert J. Kegerreis
                                               --------------------------------
                                               Robert J. Kegerreis

                                               /s/ Thomas P. Loftis
                                               --------------------------------
                                               Thomas P. Loftis

                                               /s/ William D. Manning, Jr.
                                               --------------------------------
                                               William D. Manning, Jr.

                                               /s/ Jerome F. Tatar
                                               --------------------------------
                                               Jerome F. Tatar

                                               /s/John N. Taylor, Jr.
                                               --------------------------------
                                               John N. Taylor, Jr.