Robert Kennedy

Robert Joseph Kennedy (Bob), 58, Mission Hills, Kansas, died Monday, March 9, 2015. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Bob was born November 30, 1956 in Fort Knox, Kentucky, the son of Dorothy and Tom Kennedy. He was raised in Salina, Kansas and graduated from Salina South High School, then went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame in 1979 with a BA in Accounting. He was also a monogram winner for his role on the varsity golf team. He earned his CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and worked as an accountant for Price Waterhouse in Milwaukee, WI before moving to Kansas City where he became a Financial Advisor, a profession for which he was very passionate.

He married Debbie Dicus on May 23, 1987, at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka, Kansas. They have three wonderful children, Betsy (26), Tommy (25) and Scott (23).

Bob loved cheering on his Notre Dame Fighting Irish and did many things to give back to his cherished University. He was a member of the Notre Dame Monogram Club and Notre Dame Alumni Association. He loved traveling to South Bend for football games with his two sons.

He was very involved in the National Parkinson Foundation Heartland where he was a former President of the Board of Directors. He loved the many events the Foundation put on, especially the BasketBALL, which he founded. He passed away as a member on the Foundation's Emeritus Board.

Bob was a man who lived life to the fullest. An avid golfer, he loved playing and competing at his home course, Indian Hills Country Club, with his "Pardzies". He also loved playing Gin Rummy, listening to Barry Manilow, and attending the Kentucky Derby with friends and family. Most importantly, he valued his time with the love of his life, Debbie, and his three children. He will be greatly missed by each of them as an unbelievably caring husband, father, and friend.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Debbie Kennedy; daughter Betsy Kennedy and two sons, Tommy and Scott Kennedy; mother Dorothy Kennedy; sisters Carol (Ed) Johnson and Katie (John) Chalfant; brothers Jim (Meredith) Kennedy, Don (Traci) Kennedy, and Bill (Laura) Kennedy; father-in-law Jack Dicus; brother in-law John (Brenda) Dicus; and many nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to one of Bob's following passions: the Robert J. Kennedy Family Grant-In-Aid at the University of Notre Dame or the National Parkinson Foundation Heartland. Checks can be made out to the University of Notre Dame with the fund name in the memo line and sent to the University of Notre Dame, Attn. Donor Services, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556; or made out to the National Parkinson Foundation Heartland and sent to 8900 State Line Road, Suite 320, Leawood, Kansas, 66206.

Bob's family is forever grateful to the President and CEO, doctors, nurses, and staff at the University of Kansas Medical Center, especially Unit 61, for their exceptional care, service, and kindness.