We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, Robert Leo Kissinger, who entered the presence of his Lord on July 1, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 91. Born on June 21, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, Robert was the son of the late Arthur James Kissinger and Lois Lucille (Fessler) Kissinger. He lived a long, full life defined by his deep roots, unique history, the family he cherished, and his faith.  While his final days were spent in Lincoln, his heart always belonged to the Kansas City area, where he spent nearly his entire life.  Bob grew up attending Abbott Elementary and Northwest Junior High School before graduating from Wyandotte High School with the Class of 1953.

Bob was a master storyteller, a gift undoubtedly shaped by the deeply resilient and colorful history of the generations before him. Heartbreak struck early when Bob’s own father, Arthur, passed away at just 29 years old after being struck by a car while walking home from work. Left to raise her son in the depths of the Great Depression, Bob’s mother, Lois, worked two jobs to ensure their survival. During these formative years, Bob was lovingly raised by a tight-knit circle of aunts, grandparents, and remarkable uncles who stepped in to serve as vital father figures.  Cleo Dicus continued the formation and care of Bob when he became his stepfather.

Bob’s father came from a large family of 10 children, two of whom tragically perished in the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and another child died at birth.  Two of the uncles who mentored him gave their lives in service during World War II: Uncle Pat (Sgt. Hugh P. Kissinger) survived the brutal Bataan Death March and the siege of Corregidor, only to pass away on a prisoner of war ship, while Uncle Eddie (Edmund) Kissinger perished in Germany, March 1945. His Uncle Marion A. Kissinger also served in the Army in Germany.  His mother came from her own vibrant family of eight siblings, which included legendary figures like his Uncle Harold Lyman Fessler, who lied about his age to join the Merchant Marines at just 16 years old to serve in World War II, and his Uncle Lawrence Henry Fessler, who braved the grueling Pacific theater in New Guinea.  The incredible examples of these men provided Bob with an endless well of family lore, grit, and character.

Bob also loved to share stories of his own colorful youth—tales so full of mischief and adventure that his children often joked he would have landed in juvenile detention if he tried those things today! He spent a lifetime passing these treasured histories and laughs down to his own children and grandchildren.

As a boy during World War II, Bob experienced another unique chapter of history. Following his mother’s marriage to Cleo A. Dicus in 1944, his stepfather’s work for the railroad temporarily relocated the family to Casper, Wyoming for two years. Because housing was scarce during the war effort, they lived together in a single room in a hotel.  In 1946 Bob’s sister Naomi joined the family.  Bob was like a second father to her, teaching her all about cars, shooting, reloading, climbing trees, and the outdoors.  He was her “babysitter” as she tagged along after him and his friends while both parents worked.

Immediately following high school graduation, Bob proudly carried on his family’s railway legacy and began what would become a 44-year career as a blacksmith for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. His grandfather Marion, and father Arthur, were both railroad agents, and stepfather Cleo a refrigeration expert. Bob was a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers.  With an extraordinary work ethic and a deep respect for his time-honored craft, Slim as he was known at the railroad, loved his job and going to work every day.   His dedicated work-ethic was captured in an official Burlington Northern publication, where he responded to the prompt, what excellence meant to him.  Bob replied, “Excellence is doing my job right the first time.” Upon his retirement, he held the distinction of being the very last blacksmith for the Burlington Northern, and the railroad retired the historic title with him.

At the center of Bob’s life was his family and a legendary love story. He met the love of his life, Donna Jean (Hargis) Kissinger, on a blind date arranged by a high school classmate. At the time, Donna was in nurse’s training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. When Bob walked her to the door after that first date, he asked if he could kiss her goodnight. She said “No.”  He then asked for her phone number, and she wittily replied, “It is in the phone book.” Undeterred, Bob asked her out again, and the couple dated for three years before marrying on Tuesday evening, October 15, 1957, at Trinity Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. They intentionally chose that date to honor Donna’s parents, Donald Avery and Ena Murray (Bryce) Hargis, on their 25th wedding anniversary.  For several decades to follow, the two couples jointly celebrated their anniversaries together, cementing a legacy of shared devotion, laughter, and deep partnership that lasted for an incredible 68-1/2 years.

Bob’s devotion to his family was unmatched; he lived frugally, intentionally investing pay raises so that his children, Paul and Marilynn, could attend college. Bob attended all of Paul and Marilynn’s school events, driving to Wichita State University (down and back) on weeknights to watch Paul’s music performances, and attending Dad’s Weekends with Marilynn during college.  He was a steady and loving presence in their lives. Ever resourceful, he was famous for inventing creative, ingenious “fixes” to make things last, ensuring his family always had what they needed. Bob also enjoyed tinkering with cars, spending time in nature, hunting and shooting, travel, art and music, and a devotion for faithful service to church and community.

Bob was a passionate, lifelong outdoorsman. In a personal photo album kept from his high school days, he penned a dedication page inscribed with the words, “For the Love of the Outdoors.” This deep reverence for nature guided much of his life and formed the backdrop for amazing family memories. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the family belonged to the Roadrunners camping club, packing up for outdoor adventures at least one weekend every single month. These weekends fostered appreciation for friendship and relaxation in the outdoors, as well as a respect for the environment.

Every summer, Bob led his family on unforgettable two-week vacations West, exploring the vast landscapes of Colorado, Montana, California, Washington, and New Mexico. They would travel way up into the mountains, choosing spots as far away from crowds as they could possibly go. The days were filled with hiking, exploring old mines, visiting ghost towns, and learning the unique history of every destination. Evenings were spent by a campfire or playing cards together inside the camper.  Mornings always brought a campfire breakfast, which Bob would often photograph.

Once Paul and Marilynn left the nest, Bob and Donna continued adventures and traveled extensively together. They traveled to nearly every state in the US, including taking the family on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 50thAnniversary.  They shared incredible journeys exploring Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.  They took multiple cruises around the Caribbean, visiting many islands, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Panama Canal.  One of their favorite cruise memories was winning “The Dating Game” on a game night.

Bob was an avid hunter, particularly enjoying deer hunting trips to his son-in-law’s farm in Stockton, Kansas. A sharpshooter and expert in reloading his entire life, Bob at the age of 90 shot a bullseye with his favorite .44 magnum Ruger Super Black Hawk pistol the last time he visited the range with his shooting buddy Jeff Clark. For several memorable summers, Bob and Donna also traveled to Montana to meet up with high school friends and their spouses. Gathered at a cabin on a beautiful lake, these trips were highlights as they enjoyed the wilderness, shared deep laughter, and celebrated a bond of friendship that Bob treasured throughout his entire life.

Bob had a passion for music and enjoying the arts. He possessed a remarkable, encyclopedic memory for songs; he could hear just a few notes and instantly identify the song. His family always said that Bob could have been a contestant on “Name That Tune.”  He and Donna shared a deep appreciation for live performances, holding season tickets to both the Kansas City Symphony and The New Theatre Dinner Theatre. His passions extended to his local sports teams as well; he was a loyal Kansas City sports fan. Bob was a lifelong supporter of the Royals and a die-hard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. He and Donna even shared the thrill of holding season tickets the historic year Arrowhead Stadium opened its gates and attended several pre-season Chiefs training camps.

Faith, community, and service tied his passions together. He was a deeply devoted member of Armourdale Baptist Church, where he and Donna faithfully attended and served the congregation for over 60 years. Bob poured his heart into the church through countless roles: he served as a Deacon, sang in the choir, guided the church’s future on several pastor search committees, and, alongside Donna, led a young-adult Sunday School class for many years. He was a Vacation Bible School volunteer, using his woodworking skills to craft individual little wooden boats for every child. He and Donna were always found in the kitchen preparing food for church dinners and funerals, where Bob was well-known for his Venison Chili recipe.

Bob helped with, and later coordinated, Armourdale’s annual Easter sunrise breakfast at Wyandotte County Lake. He and Donna also extended their ministry to the church’s youth, sponsoring several unforgettable youth service trips, including two in the 1970s to Salida, Colorado, and another in the 1980s to Montana.  Bob served with the Aim High program at Harmon High School, helping sponsor a weekly open gym.  His dedication to the church never wavered; even at the age of 90, Bob was using his lifelong blacksmithing skills to weld a repair on the church entrance handrail.

Bob believed in investing in the next generation; in the early 1970s, he served as the Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 90 at Bristol Hills Methodist Church, mentoring many young men in leadership, outdoor skills, and character, beautifully paying forward the guidance he received as a boy.  In 1973, Bob was initiated into the Scouting honor society, Order of the Arrow.  Patriotic and loyal, Bob served as a Poll Worker in Johnson County, Kansas for several years, and participated on Wyandotte High School Class Reunion committees.

Bob was a man of faith who appreciated the journey of life, the beauty of creation, the joy of a good song and beautiful music, the thrill of the game, and the stories that shaped it. He was a dedicated dad who anchored his family with his presence, his resilience, and his history. His legacy of faith, strength, hard work, and love will live on forever.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur James Kissinger; his mother, Lois Lucille (Fessler) Dicus; his stepfather, Cleo A. Dicus; his parents-in-law, Donald A. Hargis and Ena M. Hargis; his brothers-in-law, David Chalmers Hargis, Larry Goodnight, and sister-in-law Judy (Wurster) Hargis.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Jean Kissinger of Lincoln, Nebraska; his children, Paul Arthur Kissinger of Sedgwick, Kansas, and Marilynn Kay (Kissinger) Peaslee alongside her husband, Steven D. Peaslee, of Lincoln, Nebraska; his grandchildren, David Phillip Peaslee (wife Elise) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Kyle Robert Kissinger (wife JoLee) of Wichita, Kansas, and Christopher Doyle Peaslee of Omaha, Nebraska; his great-grandchildren, John Phillip (J.P.) Peaslee, Liam Aeryn Kissinger, and Jesse Robert Peaslee; his sister, Naomi Elaine (Dicus) Goodnight; and his brother-in-law, Thomas Giles Hargis of New London, New Hampshire; niece Leigh Anne (Hargis) Lloyd, nephew John David Hargis, and extended family members.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on August 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM at New Covenant Community Church, located at 6000 S. 84th Street, Lincoln, NE. The service will be officiated by Pastor Joseph Garza. A luncheon for family and friends will immediately follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Armourdale Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS.

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