Robert A. Stevens

Robert A. Stevens, 85, of Overland Park, Kan., passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4 at Silvercrest at Deer Creek, 13060 Metcalf Avenue. Friends are welcome.

Bob was born February 19, 1933 in Detroit, MI to O.I. and Dorothy Stevens. His family would move to DeKalb, Illinois, where he spent much of his childhood outdoors, ice skating with friends, riding his pony or playing with his dog, Freckles. He also loved to spend time with his grandmother, who helped to raise him.

Bob attended school and graduated from DeKalb Township High. It was here he also found the love of his life, Doris. The pair would marry and move to Massachusetts, where Bob attended and graduated from Williams College. During these years, he also became a father to his daughter, Kathy.

After college, he went on to attend officer's candidate school and served as an officer in the United States Navy. His family was stationed in Guam and was able to get housing right off a golf course, a lucky stroke he would still marvel at decades later. His son, Jeff, was also born on the island.

The family would later return to the United States, where they'd welcome their third child, a son named Craig. They lived in Virginia before settling in Rolling Meadows, Ill. He would later move to Arlington Heights, Ill., Barrington, Ill., and finally, Overland Park, Kan.

While in Illinois, Bob worked in downtown Chicago as a manager at Marshall Field & Company. During his off hours, he could often be found outside enjoying nature. His children remember spending time with their dad on frequent nature walks through the forest preserve, ice skating adventures at the local pond and toboggan runs. He was also an avid fisherman and took regular fishing trips to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

After retiring from the department store, Bob and his wife Doris bought a small store, the House of Western Fashion, which they ran in Mount Prospect, Ill. for more than 20 years.

Bob was a man who often had high expectations for his children and those around him, but he always had high praise for a job well done. He also had a deep love and appreciation for family and happily assumed the role of the patriarch.
He loved animals and the beach, frequently spending hours casting into the ocean in front of the condo. He also loved a good story, whether it was telling his own or recounting a humorous tale from a friend or family member.

After Bob and Doris sold their business, they moved to Overland Park, Kan. to be closer to family. In his later years, he enjoyed watching the birds in his heavily treed backyard, cheering on the local sports teams, weekly lunch outings with his friends, playing poker and attending frequent family dinners. He also served as a devoted caregiver to his wife Doris, during her lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

He was preceded in death by his wife Doris Stevens in 2015 and his grandson, Graham.

He is survived by his children Kathy Sederstrom (Larry), Jeff Stevens (Brenda) and Craig Stevens; along with grandchildren Kyle Sederstrom (Kristin), Jill Ladage, Caroline Stevens, Rosemary Stevens, Jack Stevens, Shane Stevens, Aedon Stevens, Sam Stevens and Jack O. Stevens; and great grandchild Brynn Ladage.



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