Robert Paul Kopecky (“Cousin Bob”), 73, died peacefully on July 3. A Rosary will be held at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Overland Park on Friday, July 10th, at 10:00 am. Funeral services will be held after the Rosary at 10:30 followed by the burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. A luncheon will be served at Queen after the burial.
Bob was born on March 25, 1953 in Spokane, Washington. He moved to California and played high school football at, and graduated from, Los Altos High School in 1971. He graduated from the University of California Berkeley where he majored in English.
Bob loved his Cal football. And his 49ers! He visited Kansas City several times until he finally decided to move to KC to be near his 11 cousins. He then became a KC Chiefs fan (except when they played the 49ers). Bob also was a fan of K-State football.
Bob was a finish carpenter by trade, a perfectionist. He and a buddy owned their own construction company in California. After he moved to Kansas, he worked in construction for the Shawnee Mission School district, as well as other projects around KC. Bob was called upon to remodel some of his cousins’ homes.
He loved being a part of a big family and got involved in the many family functions; coaching nephews, family dinners, Chiefs games, weddings, the Specht annual golf tourney…
Cousin Bob was ornery (so he fit in pretty well with especially a few of his boy cousins)! He lovingly gave some of us nicknames. We had Bubbly (not to be confused with Bubs,) Steiny, Sarge and Phantom, and probably some others.
Bob knew how important celebrating birthdays was to us. We always got a phone call from him on our birthdays. And he had all of our phone numbers memorized!
In 2012 Bob suffered a stroke but was able to rehab and eventually live in his own home. Despite his physical struggles he always had a positive outlook on life.
In recent years he went back to the Catholic Church. The Specht family initiated it, followed by Mike taking him to the 4:00 Mass at Queen. Bob then became fast friends with Father Bill (or just “Bill,” to Bob). He enjoyed Father’s homilies and appreciated how he “took him under his wings.” His cousins took turns giving him a ride to Mass. His favorite Mass was 4:00pm Saturday evening at Queen of the Holy Rosary. And his favorite priest and great friend was Father Bill. Thank you Father Bill!
Bob may not have realized it but he actually brought our family closer together. Some of his cousins worked together to find him a house and make it handicapped accessible. Bob invited us to his house every year for his birthday. Our family togetherness really tightened when Bob became bedbound. We would come visit him, celebrate him, and pray for, and with, him. Our visits were also spent comparing the Chiefs to the 49ers, telling stories, and laughing.
Bob was a blessing to our family. We will miss you Bob! We love you! May you rest in God’s peace, Cousin Bob!
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Paul Kopecky, his mother Betty (Cleary) Kopecky, his brother, Mark Kopecky, and his Uncle Albert Kolarik and Aunt Patricia (Kopecky) Kolarik. He is survived by his half-siblings Jim and Kathy Miles, sister-in-law Josie (Mark) Kopecky and niece Lia, and 11 cousins: Thomas Kolarik (Debbie), Albert Kolarik, Jr. (Patty), Michael Kolarik, Anne Kolarik, Mary Jo Audley (Mark), Margaret Mangum (Ron), Elizabeth Specht (Joe), John Kolarik, James Kolarik (Michele), Anthony Kolarik (Teresa), and Jean Yates (Phil).