Pastor Bob Maffitt

Reverend Robert Allen Maffitt passed away on August 20, 2022. He was 74.

He is survived by his wife, Meg Winslow Maffitt of Overland Park, Kansas; his sister, Joyce Turnage of Centerton, Arkansas; his children Jeff Maffitt (and Katie) of Broomfield, Colorado; Jessica Maffitt (and Kevin Slater) of Des Moines, Iowa; and Rebekah Weiler of Olathe, Kansas; his grandchildren Jayden, Charlie, Autumn, Zain, Amelia, Harrison, James, and Ella; and a huge Facebook family.

Bob was born on December 1, 1947, in Maryville, Missouri to Bill and Dorothy Maffitt. The family moved to Richmond when he was five, and Bob graduated from Richmond High School in 1965. While in high school, Bob and some friends decided to form a band. Bob purchased a used guitar, had one lesson, and became the lead guitar for this band. They had their first gig after two weeks of practice and were – in his words – really terrible. But the band members continued to practice and play, even after heading off to college. Bob played in several different bands to pay his way through college and became president of the local musicians' union in Columbia. Bob was very musically talented. He loved to pick up new instruments and immediately pick out a familiar tune.

Bob earned a degree in economics at the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1969 and worked in the financial industry for almost 30 years. After a year of graduate study, he examined banks throughout the Midwest, working his way into a supervisory role. His jobs took Bob and his family to Topeka, Des Moines, and eventually to Johnson County, Kansas. In 1985, Bob took a supervisory position in Topeka, and then transferred to Des Moines. During this time, Bob volunteered in the Junior Achievement program to teach high school students about economics and increase financial literacy in his community.
In 1997, Bob answered his call to the ministry and resigned from the OTS to enroll full-time at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. As a student, he also received his first pastoral appointment in the Kansas City South District of the Missouri (West) Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bob obtained his Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in 2001, and was ordained as an Elder of the United Methodist Church in 2004. He was also a long-time member of the Network of Biblical Storytellers International and received certification from the Academy of Biblical Storytelling. Bob served as Pastor at Oakland United Methodist Church 1997-2000; First United Methodist Church of Odessa 2001-2006; First United Methodist Church of Adrian and Passaic United Methodist Church 2006-2010. After retirement, he served at Garden City United Methodist Church 2012-2013 and provided temporary pulpit supply as needed in the Missouri Conference.

In his retirement, Bob enjoyed traveling with Meg and spending time with his grandchildren. He tried to attend all of the local grandchildren's events, and traveled to Colorado to watch grandsons' baseball games as often as he could. Before the pandemic, Bob spent summers singing with the Kansas City Men's Ensemble. As his mobility decreased, he delighted in his virtual Facebook community, and thoroughly enjoyed participating in conversations with friends. Bob loved live theater and any production involving music. He also continued to be actively involved in various nonprofits and at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Olathe. Bob served through Biblical storytelling, preaching occasionally, singing in the choir, playing special music, and mentoring. He also gave selflessly of his time, talents, and other gifts in the service of others. Whenever he learned of a need, Bob found a way to help. He truly accepted God's blessings and used the blessings he had been given to bless others. Bob should be remembered for his infectious smile, his love for his family, and his sense of justice.

Bob's passing is a huge loss to his family and community. The family has designated memorials be given to Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Olathe, Kansas.

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