Robert Lee "Papa Smurf" Sixta, 78, passed away at 8:18 pm, on April 9, 2025.
Bob was the first of eight children born to Robert E. & Betty M. Sixta. He attended St. Patrick's grade school, Washington High School, and Maryknoll Brother's Navigate, in Boston, MA, where he got his love of his Catholic faith, but Maryknoll was not to be his life. He then attended Finley Engineering College in KCMO. He married his lifelong love Mary Sue Hoferer in 1973. They were blessed with four children, Milena A. Wood (Shannon), Christopher L. (Amanda "AJ"), Ellen L. (Ben), Ernest V; four grandchildren, Levi (Nazli), Deserae, Artemis, and Wesley; and one great grandchild, James. Bob was an active member in his church The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle where he was an usher. Bob was a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, and a Certified Engineering Technician for the Johnson County Water District (No 1.) for over 28 years. He was also a teacher for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD). He was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America for over fifty years, as a leader serving in almost every position in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in Kaw District. He was awarded the Silver Beaver, the District Award of Merit, the Saint George Religious Award, was a Vigil in the Order of the Arrow, Sactum in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, Woodbridge trained, ran many Cub Scout Day Camps, and attended Philmont Scout ranch five times.
He was preceded into the Eternal Life by his son Ernie, his parents Robert E. and Betty Sixta, and brothers Christopher L., Joseph P., and Gregory. He is survived by his wife Mary Sue of the home, daughters Milena, from Virginia, Ellen, and son Christopher of Kansas City, KS; he is very proud of his two children who served in the U.S. Navy for 20 plus years, and of his youngest being a nurse; grandchildren Levi, Desi, Atrie, and Wesley; sisters Marlane (Michael) Young of Texas, Mary Johnson of Kansas City, KS; and brothers William (Deborah) of Overland Park, and Jeff (Peggy) of Bonner Springs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 2 May, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Peter (416 N, 14th St., Kansas City, Ks). Visitation at 9:30 AM, Rosary at 10:30 AM, and the Funeral Mass at 11 AM.
A Celebration of Life will be held on 4 May, 2025 at the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation (1100 Martinek Lane, Kansas City, Ks, at the South Camp Dining Hall (Follow signs)) from 2-5 PM.