Robert Leroy Timmons

Robert Leroy Timmons, legendary track and swimming coach, who was affectionately known as "Timmie", passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at age 91, in Lawrence, Kansas. A visitation will be held on Monday, August 10, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Mustard Seed Church in Lawrence. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Mustard Seed. A public memorial service is being planned for a later date.

Coach Timmons was born on June 29, 1924 in Joplin, Missouri, and spent his early years in Pittsburg, Kansas, graduating from Pittsburg High school in 1942. He subsequently earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the University of Kansas.

Coach Timmons served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and saw action in the South Pacific and was part of the occupying forces in China immediately after the war. He never ceased being a Marine, although as former Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, who was a track and swimming team manager for Coach at Wichita East High School, stated, "Coach was an ex-Marine who influenced those around him without raising his voice or using coarse language. He got results, not as a drill sergeant, but by tapping into and developing each person's sense of self-worth and by getting them to establish and achieve higher and higher goals.

Following his Marine Corps service, Bob Timmons began his association with the University of Kansas where he met and subsequently married Patricia Ann Perkins, a K.U. cheerleader, who survives, together with their four children, Susan (Tammie) Timmons, Rebecca Terrill, Priscilla Timmons, and Dan Timmons, and two granddaughters, Sarah Timmons and Loren Timmons. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Bess Timmons and his sister, Judy Spears, His brother, George is still alive.

Coach Timmons' early coaching experiences were at Caldwell, Kansas and Emporia, Kansas, and in 1956 he began an unequaled coaching tenure at Wichita East High School, where his swimming, cross country, and track teams won eighteen state championships. He coached two national record milers in Archie San Romani, Jr, and perhaps the county's greatest middle distance runner, Jim Ryun. He also coached several Olympians and was the mentor and inspiration for the late Richard Quick, who served as the head swimming coach for the U.S. team in three Olympics. During those years in Wichita, he also was a major part of starting the Wichita Swim Club and the Wichita Track Club.

In 1964 Timmie was asked to join the coaching staff of Kansas University Track team and in 1966 became the head coach. Many fine athletes were recruited in establishing some of the best records in KU track history. Through all that time, his wife was there to cheer on Bob and the whole team. To read a full history of Bob's career at the University of Kansas go to www.warrenmcelwain.com.

Bob Timmons' retirement from K.U. in 1988 introduced an even busier agenda of artistic and spiritual work, although he returned briefly to coaching in 1992 as the volleyball coach at several local junior and senior high schools in the area. Painting, writing poetry, and sculpting became creative outlets for the untiring man. Timmie and Pat were always church goers, but became much more involved when they joined the Mustard Seed Church in 1985. He also shared his Christian values through mission trips to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, Honduras, Mexico, and China, into which he "smuggled" Bibles. His contributions during retirement also included personally designing and constructing tracks for younger runners in the ghettos of South Africa.

His retirement years also included tireless work on a "Student Athletes Bill of Rights," which he authored and presented not only to the NCAA, but to Congressional Committees. Coach Timmons unrelentingly pursued this decades-long quest to establish basic principles that place the welfare of student athletes above the financial goals of universities and the legal structures of the NCAA. His request was based on his belief, which continued throughout his entire coaching career; that the role of athletics in college is to facilitate education and develop character.

Although Coach Timmons' positive, and in many instances life-changing influence on thousands of young men and women has primarily been intangible, the 2005 gift to K.U. of Rim Rock Farm by Coach and Pat provides a tangible legacy that will benefit not only the university, but also countless young men and women who will complete on perhaps the finest cross country course in the United States. Rim Rock was carved out of the Timmons' Jefferson County farm by Coach and Pat and will be the final resting place for a man whose life was devoted to the betterment of the human spirit through athletics and good works.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent in his name to the Williams Education Fund -Track and Field, Mustard Seed Church or the American Red Cross and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com .

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Aug. 8, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Timmons

25 Entries

Priscilla T

August 2, 2025

Sat 8-2-2025

Dear Dad...
I really miss you so much. The more I read about men, the more I begin to understand you.... and appreciate you. You were such a great story teller of true testimonies. We all loved to hear your character manifest as you shared them, so enthusiastically. And you had such a wonderful sense of humor that was mostly seen & heard when you were free from most of your stress. Sure appreciated the way you taught others to have the correct form in various athletic endeavors, which I still ponder these days. Working outside with the lawn & trees seemed to be very therapeutic to you- which was so awesome to observe! Thank you for teaching us right from wrong.... and to tell the truth. You were a man´s man. No wonder I saw so many men stand up when you walked into a room. There´s so much more that I want to say to honor you... but will make myself refrain for right now.
With deep love,
"Lil"

Priscilla

September 8, 2024

(Sun) 9-8-2024

Dad, I still miss you sooo very much. My heart just breaks that you and mom are gone. The longer I live on this earth, the more I begin to under-stand you more. Thank you for everything you did, or said, to help me in life. ::I´m so very grateful:: May the Lord keep you in His secret place and continue to honor you for all that you accomplished, no matter how great or small... and especially what you did, intentionally for God- risking your life overseas, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. In my eyes, you´re one of the Lord´s mighty men of VALOR!

Casey Goldston

October 22, 2023

Found this picture of Mr Timmons.thought the family would want it

Erin Mayer

August 13, 2015

Love and Prayers for your family!

mike morgan

August 13, 2015

coach Timmons was my hero and we all need heroes. all my life I have told Timmons stories to inspire others. he made barbells out of coffee cans, concrete and a steel bar, one for every swimmer for the necessary weight training. his athletes gave it their all in practice and meets,not out of fear or intimidation but because they didn't want to disappoint coach Timmons. we were so lucky to have him in our lives. he was a coaches coach.

Dr. James and Christine Kraft

August 12, 2015

The family of Wallace and Jimmie Kraft extend their condolences to the family, in particular to Pat and Dan who offered their friendship as neighbors these past 18 years. Our thoughts are with you.

Dr. Kincaid Associates in Dentistry

August 10, 2015

We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Robert Timmons. Please accept our sincere condolances during this time.

Ruth Foster

August 9, 2015

I met Timmie and Pat when they started coming to the Mustard Seed. Timmie and my husband, Ron, who has since passed away, would go on walks every morning. He'd come by the house and they would take adventurous walks to prepare for the mission trips we would go on. Sometimes they would let me tag along. He would dress up in a silly clown outfit, and blow up balloons, and give out candy. The children loved him. Also our trip to Israel was wonderful ( another adventure). GOOD MEMORIES..May the Lord bless his family with His peace.

August 9, 2015

I worked closely with Coach Timmons when I was a member of the Kansas Relays Committee and Relays chairman in 1970. He was a great person to work with. He did not think my idea crazy of inviting Soviet world-class athletes to the 1983 Kansas Athletes. He helped me tremendously with the planning of that event, which turned out to be a major international news story ("The Russians Are Coming--to Kansas!"). The Relays was featured by ABC, CBS, Soviet state television, and major American newspapers. Many thought that particular Relays was a major effort in promoting better US-Soviet relations at a time of increasing tensions between both countries. It was also unique because it was the only time a Soviet National Track and Field team had participated in an American college competition. The Soviet visit to the Relays never would have come to pass had it not been for Coach Timmons's vision and enthusiasm.

We will miss you, Coach. Rest in peace.

Mark Scott
Ojai, California

August 8, 2015

The obit was sent to me by my dearest friend, Beth Lindquist, and since we grew up together, she knew I wouldn't want to miss this opportunity to say "thanks for the memories, Bob". Bob was recruiting at the City swim meet & I happen to break the record in the 8 & under freestyle event. He spoke to my mother & found out that there were 3 more older male siblings...so that was how the Jeter kids became part of the "Timmons family team"...an opportunity of a lifetime! God blessed him with the know-how to inspire the youth of that generation. I always attend the East High (1966) reunions and there are others from the "Timmons family" attending and there is some kind of special friendship there due to Bob's philosophies we all soaked up...thank you again Bob and rest in peace. And to Pat and all the family, I know he will be missed but the legendary memories of his life will never fade...God bless you all.

Kay Jeter Brown
Colorado Spring, CO

Jim Wheeler

August 8, 2015

I knew of Coach Timmons from the early 1960's as I was a student at Hadley Jr. High and he was the track coach at East High School. Jim Ryun was his prize runner and they followed each other to the University of Kansas. God bless you coach for all you did for the track programs in Wichita and up at Lawrence.

James Brewer

August 8, 2015

'Timmons' swimmers had good times'(in WSC days). We were honored to be on his team and to know him as a caring coach and mentor! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. May he rest in peace.

Carolyn A Flanagan Campeau

August 8, 2015

Celebrating life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Wichita High School East
Class of 1965

Angela Spielman

August 8, 2015

Think of the family at this difficult time. We loved Timmie and his giving spirit. Thank you for touching so many young lives during your time at Baldwin schools. You taught me so much about coaching.