Robert Stephens Obituary

The world has lost another beautiful soul.

Robert "Bob" Lawrence Stephens, 86, of Lawrence, died in the early hours of Friday, July 14, 2023, in Lawrence after one heckuva fight against Parkinson's.

Memorial services for Bob will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023. A private family burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.

Bob was born with ornery in his veins on January 31, 1937, in Clinton, Missouri, the eldest son of Howard Lawrence and Margaret Francis (Renfrow) Stephens.

He never expected handouts from anyone, only giving what little he had to others. And that included the use of his beloved '41 Dodge with the "fluid drive." The keys stayed in the car, and the understanding was just to leave a few dollars on the seat for gas.

Bob met the love of his life, Mary Kay Hendrich, while they were both students at Clinton High School in Clinton, Missouri. The two married on August 31,1958, and were blessed to have had nearly 65 years together.

Never one to shy away from hard work, Bob worked multiple jobs when the couple first married, even driving a cab on the weekends while the two attended Central Missouri State College. He served as a tank commander in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1959 – 1964.

Bob was a natural when it came to sales and started his career in 1957 at Manor Baking Company. From there, he joined Meyers Dairy and worked his way up from delivery services (delivering two quarts of buttermilk to Phogg Allen each week) to sales manager. When the company's headquarters moved to Dallas, Texas, Bob had some decisions to make. Bleeding crimson and blue since he stepped foot into Lawrence, moving wasn't an option.

In 1970, Bob joined Mitchell Agency as a real estate salesperson, and in 1978, with Mary Kay by his side, the two opened the doors to Stephens Real Estate. Bob spent the next 32 years as a Lawrence real estate broker and developer, growing his business to more than 60 sales associates. He was happiest when he was able to help a young couple into their first home, mentoring his sales associates or working to improve his community. Bob believed deeply in giving back to the Lawrence community, serving on numerous boards, including the Douglas County Development Corporation, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

When Bob wasn't in the office, you'd find him swapping stories in one of his morning coffee groups or out on the golf course for a round with his buddies. But most of all, Bob was happiest when he was with his family. From family tennis matches that always ended with one of his famous trick shots to attending his grandchildren's school and sporting events and the annual Stephens Family Golf Tournament, nothing was more important than his family, a lesson he taught his four children.

Bob is survived by, and greatly missed by, his wife, Mary Kay Stephens; his son, Douglas L. (LaDonna) Stephens; three daughters, Diana L. (Bob) Lisher, Deb L. (Scott) Holzmeister and Denise L. Kahler; his brother, William "Bill" Stephens; 10 grandchildren, Justin (Amber) Stephens, Caleb Stephens, Jayme (Blake) Savage, Brett (Darci) Lisher, Michael (Melissa) Lisher, Katherine Holzmeister, Amy (Max) Stockslager, Joe (Carlie) Holzmeister, Regan (Taylor) Stuart, Maren (Matt) Blessent, and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Phillip Stephens; three sisters, Wanda Waugh, Patricia Davis, Pam Taliaferro; and a grandson, Zach Stephens.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the "Bob's Award" care of the Lawrence Schools Foundation or to Family Promise and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044.

As he would always say about others, Bob was truly a "super guy."

Online condolences may be left at warrenmcewlain.com.