Dr. Robert James Seitzer, 80, Overland Park, died January 12, 2021 at Care Haven Homes in Overland Park, KS, from Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Robert (“Bob”) was born on September 23,1940 to James Seitzer and Marie Polack Seitzer in St. Peter, MN.  He was the eldest of nine children. Bob married Marianne Hirt on August 24, 1964 in Wilson, KS.  They met under a plastic tree at a Twin Cities Catholic Alumni Club dance, were married six months later, and enjoyed 56 years of marriage together. 

Bob graduated from St. Peter High School in 1958. He was multi-faceted and excelled at football, basketball, and baseball while also serving as Senior Class President, and appearing in numerous theater productions. 

He was an incredible athlete his whole life.  And, even in the late stages of Alzheimer’s he would still go with his caregiver, Lisa, to work out with a trainer and shoot baskets at a fitness center.  He was an avid NBA fan, and especially enjoyed the Bulls in the Michael Jordan era.  He was so nervous for each game that he would tape the game, learn the outcome, and then watch the tape. 

Bob’s lifetime was a quest for learning.  His education was self-funded in addition to $2 his great grandmother gave him.  He attended 16 universities over his lifetime. He first attended College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN where he played basketball and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, History, and English in 1962. He earned a master’s degree in Counseling from Central Michigan University in 1967 and his Ph. D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Missouri – Kansas City in 1974. He pursued post doctorate classes at the University of Kansas and at the Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, CA, earning certification in the Clinical Neuropsychology Training Program in 1999. 

Bob spent the largest part of his career as a neuropsychologist in private practice. He was also a former psychologist, associate professor and teacher. 

Bob started his career teaching high school Social Studies, English and Debate in St. Paul, and Carsonville, MI. He was then a guidance counselor at William Chrisman and Truman High Schools in Independence, MO and a counselor for several mental health systems in Kansas City. He worked for the Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare as the coordinator of a school health program for the DeKalb County, Georgia school system. He returned to academia as a professor of Psychology at Northwest Missouri State University. And then he launched his private practice as a psychologist, and eventually as a neuropsychologist specializing in neuropsychological testing for 20 years. 

Hands down, Bob’s most cherished and vibrant role in life was that of “Granddad”. He was an in-the-moment, down on the floor, all-in Granddad. His seven grandkids grew up a few miles away and so Bob attended all their sacraments, academic milestones, sporting events, dance recitals, choir and theater performances, piano concerts, marriages, and spent one-on-one time with every grandchild doing unique experiences.  But Granddad was more than a spectator or cheerleader. He found a way to make each grandchild feel loved and special. After every event while the family and friend groups were chatting away, Granddad would take his grandchild aside and specifically share what impressed him the most about the event—usually something to do with their character, joy, specific moments that inspired him, effort, passion, kindness, or other virtues he witnessed. Granddad had robust plans for every family gathering and while the adults chatted, he would be with the grandkids, directing theater productions, flying kites, building forts, playing sports, or doing crafts. 

Through the years, Bob converted many of the rooms in their home into mini libraries and eventually his shelves were teeming with 4,000 books.  He had read them all and some multiple times—with most topics covering neuropsychology, theology, philosophy, biographies, classical novels, history, and poetry. He spent hours reading daily with a well-crafted cup of coffee in hand. 

Even at the age of 62, Bob enrolled in advanced Latin courses at Johnson County Community College, and took delight in converting a room in his basement into a Latin classroom to teach his grandkids the Latin origins of words. 

Bob had a deep Catholic faith and walked to daily Mass for years and took solace in the Adoration Chapel at Church of the Ascension. 

Bob and Marianne enjoyed time spent at their second home at the Lake of the Ozarks during their first 12 years of retirement. Bob enjoyed reading on his porch overlooking a valley of trees, and taking long walks in the woods. Sharing an appreciation for the natural beauty of mountains, trees and flowers, Bob and Marianne’s favorite trips were to the Smokey Mountains. Their home at the Lake offered this nature setting. 

Bob loved music—especially the crooners, classical country artists such as Johnny Cash, and hymns. Bob and Marianne discovered ballroom dancing and took lessons and attended formal dances for years.  Bob still broke out his vocals and waltz, foxtrot, and swing moves at his grandson’s recent wedding and during activity time at his Care Haven Home. 

Forever known as the “man in the fedora”, Bob received many compliments on his natty style. Anyone who knew Bob describes him as joyful, selfless, gentle, playful, kind, introspective, positive and encouraging.  He didn’t care about any of the material aspects of the world, and that enabled him to give 100% focus to anyone he was with. He gave everyone the feeling that they were the only person in the world who mattered in the moment.  

Bob is survived by his wife, Marianne, of the home, children Joan (Glenn) Wells, Leawood, KS, and John (Jodie) Seitzer, Leawood, KS, and seven grandchildren: Sam (Anna) Wells, Chicago, IL; Grace (Luke) Przekurat, Highlands Ranch, CO; Hannah Wells, Chicago, IL; Ben Seitzer, Alyssa Seitzer, Tom Seitzer and Joe Seitzer, all of Leawood, KS. 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 18 at 10:00 am, preceded by a Rosary at 9:15 am, at Church of the Ascension, Overland Park KS. Burial to follow at Queen of the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Wea, KS. 

To view a livestream of the funeral Mass, go to kcascension.org. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to: 

Church of the Ascension (for Adoration Chapel)

9510 W. 127th Street

Overland Park, KS 66213

or to

 Little Sisters of the Poor – Kansas City

8745 James A. Reed Road

Kansas City, MO 64138

littlesistersofthepoorkansascity.weshareonline.org 

We express appreciation to Lisa Phelps, Bob’s devoted caregiver and companion of three years. She put joy into Bob’s days by being active with walks in the parks, tennis, basketball and corn hole, movies, lunches out, trips to the petting zoo, reading, and especially sharing times with her grandchildren. He loved it all! 

Thank you to the Care Haven Homes staff for the professional, empathetic, compassionate, above-and-beyond care of Bob during his stay there and during his recent transition out of this life. 

Condolences may be expressed online at porterfuneralhome.com.