Robert E. Kennedy

Robert Edward Kennedy

Robert Edward Kennedy was born February 27, 1941 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His parents were Thomas Sage and Ruth Elizabeth (Harbit) Kennedy. His twin brother miscarried prematurely 2 months earlier and did not survive, while “Bob” fortunately remained, almost to term, and survived. Bob passed away Sunday, November 16, 2025 at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, KS after a long hospitalization.

His family moved back to Ruth’s hometown, Windsor, MO, about 1942 and operated the Wagon Wheel Cafe. His father, who operated a radio repair business and built the first TV in Windsor, died in 1951. Ruth remarried and they moved to Warsaw, MO where she owned and operated the Warsaw Hotel and Cafe. Bob graduated from Warsaw High School in 1959.

He attended Central Missouri State College (now University of Central Missouri or UCM) graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics. He continued his studies at CMSC, earning a Master of Science degree in Mathematics. He taught mathematics at Butler County Community College in Eldorado, Kansas for 4 years. He then taught mathematics at UCM until retiring as Professor of Mathematics in 2002. In 1974, he earned his PhD in Mathematics at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He published many articles in several mathematics journals. He coined the term, “Niven Numbers” in number theory in honor of Ivan Niven, who suggested the idea of that number sequence.

He had an NDEA grant as well as several jobs that enabled him to go to college. He cleaned offices in Warrensburg, babysat, and played his trombone in a dance band led by Ed Barnes at college dances, the Warrensburg Country Club, and other venues.

He met his future wife, Beverly Ann Lawrence, at UMKC in a Group Theory mathematics class and they were married at Unity Village, December 21, 1968. She survives him in Pleasant Hill, MO. They made their home in Warrensburg, then Lee’s Summit, moving to Pleasant Hill in 1992. Christi Kennedy was born in 1974 and resides in Maryland with Granddaughter, Emma Jo Kennedy. Bob is also survived by Brother-in-Law, Ward North, and nephews Ron North, Kim North, & Larry North and their families, all in California. He leaves many cousins, who always called him “Uncle Bobby.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, younger sister Ann Kennedy, in 1997, and older sister Jacqueline Marie North in 2022.

Bob was known by younger relatives and friends for his made-up stories that were often scary and fanciful. He influenced many young people through his work in scouting. He was an Eagle Scout in Warsaw and a Scout Master in Eldorado, KS and Warrensburg, MO. He went to Philmont Scout Ranch while in High School and took his troops on backpacking treks for a total of 7 trips. When that door closed due to an unfortunate, bitter parent, he found another volunteer opportunity.

He was the curator at the Pleasant Hill Historical Society from 1998 until the fall of 2024. He loved meeting people and helping them track down historical information in Pleasant Hill, MO. He saw a need for a larger museum space, with a separate room for the library. He spearheaded a fundraising campaign to accomplish this, with a grand opening in 2015.

His hobbies included photography, developing his own prints while in high school. He loved playing his trombone, starting in 5th grade with the Warsaw High School Band, playing Basketball for Warsaw High School, playing golf until his Dupuytren’s contracture of his fingers prohibited that, and fossil hunting. We participated in the Christmas Bird Count for several years while in Warrensburg.

Blindness restricted his activities his last few years of life, due to macular degeneration (Geographic Atrophy), but he rarely complained about these infirmities.

He will be remembered as a kind, gentle soul who genuinely enjoyed people of all ages.

Visitation will be held December 9, 2025 at Wallace Funeral Home, 422 N Lake St, Pleasant Hill, MO from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be December 10, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Donations in Bob’s memory may be sent to: Pleasant Hill Historical Society, PO Box 31, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080 or Windsor Historical Society, PO Box 111, Windsor, MO 65360