In Memory Of
Robert William Tully
1941
2021
Robert William Tully
January 19, 1941 — December 10, 2021
Robert William Tully, 80, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021. He was born on January 19, 1941 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to William and Helen (Bieber) Tully.
Bob grew up on a farm in Northeast Iowa where the hills are high and the river is wide. He attended a one-room school through the 8th grade and finished high school in Lansing with his 23 other classmates. He then journeyed to the University of Northern Iowa where he met the love of his life, Kathi and was the first in his family to receive a degree in higher education.
Bob began his career in veterinary biologics at Diamond Laboratories in Des Moines, Iowa in 1963. In 1967 Bob moved Kathi and their three young children to Olathe, Kansas where he joined several associates at National Laboratories and spent the next 50+ years of his career in the animal health vaccine industry. Multiple associations and colleagues benefited from Bob's mentorship, leadership and accomplishments. Later in his professional calling Bob's humanitarian efforts lead him to travel to Africa on multiple occasions to institute facilities and practices for United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Little did he realize as a young boy growing up on a diary farm he would also go on to one day hold two United States patents.
Bob was actively involved in his communities. While his children were young his spare time was consumed with coaching multiple sports, serving on the school board, leading Indian Guides, and being their paper route chauffeur on rainy days. Occasionally he found time on an early Saturday morning to go hunting. Bob and Kathi decided they weren't busy enough and expanded their family with another daughter.
In the midst of his professional and personal activities, Bob was also engaged in St. Paul Catholic Church serving on parish council, capital campaign committees and as a lay minister. Further volunteer time was spent with the Jaycees and Kiwanis organizations over his lifetime. Additionally, he dedicated time to serve out appointments on the city park board, planning commission and county solid waste management committee. He went on to be an elected public official on the Olathe City Council for multiple terms, including Mayor Pro Tem.
The rural Iowa farm boy spent his retirement tending to his cattle, driving his tractor, weeding his garden, and teaching his grandchildren what hard work looks like. You could often find Bob at the coffee shop in Olathe and Wellsville telling a story and never saying no to a good pastry or slice of pie. He cherished his fishing trips to Canada with family and friends, was an avid fan of K-State, but his beloved Royal's were the apple of his eye. Kathi tried for years to encourage him to read a novel for enjoyment, but he always preferred a biological journal or farm magazine.
"G-Pa" was his grandchildren's greatest supporter. He found the time to attend ballgames, school programs, dance recitals, graduations and was the first to suggest a celebration of ice cream afterwards.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Kathi Tully; his children, Shelly (Michael) Jackson, Cheryl (Stan) Schmidt, Jeff (Kari) Tully, and Jill Tully; his grandchildren, Matt Jackson, Mika (Greg) Poulos, Max Jackson, Jordan Schmidt, Ryan Schmidt, Taylor Schmidt, Keefer Tully, Hayden (Jennifer) Tully, and Paige Tully; great-grandchildren, Rawley, Gwyn, and Eleanor; sister, Pat Martinez.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen Tully.
Vigil prayers will be recited at 5:00pm on Monday, December 20, 2021, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Olathe with the visitation following from 5:30-7:30pm. A private Rosary and Mass will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery Lansing, Iowa
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Bob's memory be made to the
St. Paul Capital Campaign or by mailing directly to the church at: 21650 W. 115th Terrace, Olathe, KS 66061.
To leave a message of condolence for Bob's family or to share a special memory of Bob, please visit the guestbook below.
Bob grew up on a farm in Northeast Iowa where the hills are high and the river is wide. He attended a one-room school through the 8th grade and finished high school in Lansing with his 23 other classmates. He then journeyed to the University of Northern Iowa where he met the love of his life, Kathi and was the first in his family to receive a degree in higher education.
Bob began his career in veterinary biologics at Diamond Laboratories in Des Moines, Iowa in 1963. In 1967 Bob moved Kathi and their three young children to Olathe, Kansas where he joined several associates at National Laboratories and spent the next 50+ years of his career in the animal health vaccine industry. Multiple associations and colleagues benefited from Bob's mentorship, leadership and accomplishments. Later in his professional calling Bob's humanitarian efforts lead him to travel to Africa on multiple occasions to institute facilities and practices for United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Little did he realize as a young boy growing up on a diary farm he would also go on to one day hold two United States patents.
Bob was actively involved in his communities. While his children were young his spare time was consumed with coaching multiple sports, serving on the school board, leading Indian Guides, and being their paper route chauffeur on rainy days. Occasionally he found time on an early Saturday morning to go hunting. Bob and Kathi decided they weren't busy enough and expanded their family with another daughter.
In the midst of his professional and personal activities, Bob was also engaged in St. Paul Catholic Church serving on parish council, capital campaign committees and as a lay minister. Further volunteer time was spent with the Jaycees and Kiwanis organizations over his lifetime. Additionally, he dedicated time to serve out appointments on the city park board, planning commission and county solid waste management committee. He went on to be an elected public official on the Olathe City Council for multiple terms, including Mayor Pro Tem.
The rural Iowa farm boy spent his retirement tending to his cattle, driving his tractor, weeding his garden, and teaching his grandchildren what hard work looks like. You could often find Bob at the coffee shop in Olathe and Wellsville telling a story and never saying no to a good pastry or slice of pie. He cherished his fishing trips to Canada with family and friends, was an avid fan of K-State, but his beloved Royal's were the apple of his eye. Kathi tried for years to encourage him to read a novel for enjoyment, but he always preferred a biological journal or farm magazine.
"G-Pa" was his grandchildren's greatest supporter. He found the time to attend ballgames, school programs, dance recitals, graduations and was the first to suggest a celebration of ice cream afterwards.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Kathi Tully; his children, Shelly (Michael) Jackson, Cheryl (Stan) Schmidt, Jeff (Kari) Tully, and Jill Tully; his grandchildren, Matt Jackson, Mika (Greg) Poulos, Max Jackson, Jordan Schmidt, Ryan Schmidt, Taylor Schmidt, Keefer Tully, Hayden (Jennifer) Tully, and Paige Tully; great-grandchildren, Rawley, Gwyn, and Eleanor; sister, Pat Martinez.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen Tully.
Vigil prayers will be recited at 5:00pm on Monday, December 20, 2021, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Olathe with the visitation following from 5:30-7:30pm. A private Rosary and Mass will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery Lansing, Iowa
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Bob's memory be made to the
St. Paul Capital Campaign or by mailing directly to the church at: 21650 W. 115th Terrace, Olathe, KS 66061.
To leave a message of condolence for Bob's family or to share a special memory of Bob, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert William Tully, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Vigil
Monday, December 20, 2021
5:00 - 5:30 pm (Central time)
St. Paul Catholic Church
Visitation
Monday, December 20, 2021
5:30 - 7:30 pm (Central time)
St. Paul Catholic Church
Guestbook
Visits: 10
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