Robert Paulsen

Robert V. Paulsen, age 89, passed away in Baldwin City, Kansas on July 1, 2015.

Robert "Bob" Paulsen was born May 6, 1926 in Olathe, Kansas to Frances C. (Bechler) and Heinrich "Henry" Paulsen.

Bob attended Moonlight Elementary and graduated from Gardner High School in 1944. Following graduation, he reported to Fort Leavenworth for induction into the Army on June 27, 1944. He was initially stationed at Camp Stewart in Georgia, and following basic training he was transferred to Fort Meade in Maryland, then into the European Theatre of Operations, 90th Division, Third Army. While serving our country during World War II, he was a Technician Fifth Grade, Company B, 375th Infantry Regiment, and was honorably discharged on June 7, 1946, having earned a Purple Heart for his bravery and faithful service.

On October 1, 1949, Bob was married to Mary Kathryn Bradford at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Olathe, KS, and together they made their home in Olathe. She was the one true love of his life, and they celebrated almost 54 years of marriage together prior to her death in 2003.

After his time in the service, Bob went to work for the Hyer Boot Company in Olathe for five years. He then joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where he was employed for 32 years, finally transferring to AT&T and retiring in 1984.

Bob was a member of the American Legion Post #153 in Olathe, KS, the Knights of Columbus, and the Olathe Trail Riders.

Bob enjoyed woodworking and crafted many gifts for his children, grandchildren, family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and close friends. Bob was an all-around "handyman" helping anyone who needed help, and assisted with several repairs at St. Paul Catholic Church. He taught himself to play the harmonica, while bringing in the cows. Bob's children and grandchildren were the light of his life, and he enjoyed the time they were able to spend together.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Divine Mercy Catholic Church Building Fund.


Surviving are his children Carolyn (Robert) Bell, Olathe, KS, Gary (Robin) Paulsen, Paola, KS, Cathy (Martin) Belcher, Eudora, KS, and Bob (Shawna) Paulsen, Olathe, KS, ten grandchildren; Lisa Hosey, Stephanie Sinram, Zeb Paulsen, Ian Paulsen, Joshua Paulsen, Remick Paulsen, Chris Belcher, Heather Belcher, Erin Paulsen and Megan Paulsen, 8 great-grandchildren; Holly, Josh, Veda, Adalay, Braxton, Cole, Garrett, and Kyle, and his sisters, Joanie Krumm of Paola, KS and Rita Collard of The Woodlands, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Kathryn Paulsen, his sister Mary Louise Timmons, and brothers Barney Paulsen and Steve Paulsen.