Bob, 82, of Overland Park, KS passed away on Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at the University of Kansas Hospital.
Bob was born in San Diego, CA on November 28, 1942, to Joseph and Mary Allen. The family moved to Kansas City, MO and then to Prairie Village, Ks where Bob lived most of his young life. He attended Rockhurst High School and graduated from Bishop Miege High School in 1961. Immediately after finishing high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served as an Air Force mechanic at Bunker Hill Air Force Base in Peru, Indiana for 4 years. For a brief time after his discharge, he worked for Delta Airlines. He then switched his talents to carpentry working for CECO and JE Dunn construction companies. Then, using his talents derived from his hobby of working on cars and street rods, he became a shop manager for Quality Painting Systems until he retired.
Bob loved working on cars (all kinds … family cars, street rods and race cars or trucks). He was a crew member for a couple of race teams and was in the height of his glory. He also enjoyed going to NASCAR races … always hoping to make a trip to each of the different tracks. And car shows for street rodding was right up there at the top as well. He had several street rods of his own and loved tinkering with them. He was a member of the Kansas City Ski Club and, of course, worked on the ski racing team (anything with speed). He loved going to the lake with friends to water ski and was partners with his close friend on a race boat. But sports were not far behind. He participated in football, baseball, and track in high school. And in his later years he treasured his golf games with his sister, brother-in-law, and good friends. Bob also loved being a member of the Knights of Columbus and Holy Cross Catholic Church, working tirelessly for the benefit of both.
Bob knew no strangers and would take anyone under his wing or help them when they needed anything. One of his greatest talents was his love for his family, friends, church, and Jesus. He commented that ‘friends are golden’ and that family, friends, his home, his yard, his wife, and his relationship with God were his prize possessions.
He was preceded in death by his amazing parents, his brother, Michael, nephew, Bradley, 2 brothers-in-law, David Fortin and David Fast and his beloved in-law's, Fred and Charlotte Gabler. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 49 1/2 years, Kathy (Gabler) Allen; his sister, Jeannine Fortin Fast, his brother, Dan (Jill) Allen, his sister-in-law, Lynn (Tim) Long, his brother-in-law, John (Kathryn) Gabler; his nieces and nephews, Kevin (Brigetta) Fortin, Brian Fortin, Tim (Jennifer) Fortin, Kimberly (Brian) Gordon, Emily Allen, Jason Barrett, Cassi (Scott) Baltuska, John Gabler and Aaron Gabler and 16 great nieces and nephews.
The visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. with the Rosary being prayed at 10:40 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 7th at Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, KS. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Hall.In lieu of flowers, Bob requested contributions be made to the Holy Cross Knights of Columbus Council.
Bob was a very special person and a wonderful husband. He was dearly loved by many and will be greatly missed. Happy memories of him will help to console us until we meet with him again.