Robert Kerr Obituary

Robert Eugene (Bob) Kerr passed away on July 20, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born February 14, 1937, in Ellsworth, Kansas, to Dr. Donald E. and Helen M. Kerr.

A standout from the start, Bob lettered in football, basketball, and track and field and was selected as Homecoming King at Lincoln High School. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. There, Bob was a member of the Kansas Gamma Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, for which he later served as a Distinguished Chapter Councelor, and Alpha Psi Chapter of the Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity. He was a lifetime member of the KU Alumni Association and ardent Jayhawk fan.

Bob excelled first as a junior high teacher and coach in Topeka, then later as an Assistant Branch Manager of Capitol Federal Savings and Loan. He returned to Lawrence and entered the insurance profession in 1968 when he founded a property and casualty insurance agency, which he co-owned until 1997. Bob was a producer for Schifman Remley Associates, Tozier Parkway Housh Jones, and lastly AG Insurance, where he worked until 2025, and served as President of the Kansas Association of Professional Insurance Agents and on the board of USF&G Insurance Company during his long career. Trustworthy and devoted to his clients, Bob earned designations as an Accredited Advisor in Insurance and Certified Insurance Counselor, was deemed an Outstanding Agent by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Kansas, and was awarded the Kansas Agent of Merit by the Kansas Insurance Association 1752 Club. Dedicated to serving his community, Bob assumed various leadership and volunteer roles for the Lawrence Luncheon Optimists, Lawrence SERTOMA Club, First Christian Church, Lawrence Country Club, KU Audio-Reader Network, and Veritas Christian School Golf Team.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Bob was an adoring husband, loving father, doting grandpa, and loyal friend who shared his radiant warmth, adventurous spirit, and appreciation for life with everyone he met. You could find Bob teaching his girls how to water ski around Pamona Lake or execute a flawless swan dive, honing his golf game, frying up French toast for family brunch, perfecting his Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing recipes, gifting chocolate covered cherries to friends and co-workers every Valentine's Day, cussing like a sailor at a Jayhawk basketball game, or by the pool grilling burgers and jamming to Jimmy Buffet. He was each of his daughters' steadiest supporter (even though they all ended up Wildcats!) and his grandkids' biggest fan, sitting front row at countless games and performances. We all miss our forever Valentine.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marcia Kerr; daughters Kelli Brahler, Kandi (Scott) Schaake, and Kylee (Chris) Leatherman; grandkids George (Chelsey) Brahler and Grace (Neil) Brahler Newsome, Shane (Melissa) Schaake and Shilo (Jamie) Schaake, and Alex Leatherman Frost and Bob Leatherman; great grandkids Morel and Vitales Grillot-Brahler and Miles and Maren Frost; and cherished siblings-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara, nephew Don, and sons-in-law Daryl Duff and John Brahler.

All those who loved Bob are invited to join a celebration of his rich life at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the First Christian Church located at 1000 Kentucky Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Flowers are welcome at the service and guests are encouraged to don their favorite Jayhawk or crimson and blue attire. The family is also collecting donations for the KU Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep) Fraternity House and the KU Pep Band in honor of Bob's love of the Jayhawks.

Funds donated via Rumsey-Yost will be collected and personally presented in Bob's name. Please make payable to the Bob Kerr Memorial Fund in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas, and indicate your preferred recipient (KU Sig Ep, KU Pep Band, or Family's Choice).

Donations can also be made online directly to KU Sig Ep via https://kusigep.com/donate/ or the KU Pep Band via https://kuendowment.org/ (select "Give Now" then "KU Band Greatest Need (02534)" in the "Area" dropdown menu). Please note that you are honoring Robert (Bob) Kerr when donating online. Your heartfelt contributions are greatly appreciated.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com