Ferris Robert (Bob) Kimball, Age: 85
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May 24, 1935---Apr 24, 2021

Ferris Robert (Bob) Kimball, 85, of Lake Quivira, Kansas, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2021 with his family nearby. 

Bob was born on May 24, 1935 in Kansas City, Kansas to Ferris Francis Kimball and Ruth Harley Miller and was baptized at Western Highlands Presbyterian Church. 

As a very young man he learned to work hard and relished the time spent with his family, taking many special trips with his parents. Working in tandem with his father, the two garnished an envious collection of stamps, newspapers, military awards, rocks, shells, coins and flint arrowheads. 

Bob graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas where he participated on the debate team and international relations club. He was the Wyandotte High School correspondent for the Kansas City Star, sports editor for the "Quiviran" (the High School Annual), and was the commencement speaker at his graduation for the class of 1953. Bob attended the University of Kansas and received a Liberal Arts degree, majoring in Speech. He participated on the KU Debate team where he was recognized as being a part of the number one, two-man team at KU, beating out the former national champions. 

Bob joined the Kansas National Guard and was first assigned to the United States Army for infantry training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was then assigned to Fort Ord, California for advanced infantry training, where he compiled the best record by a six-month trainee from the National Guard in Kansas City and was cited for “outstanding aptitude, attention to duty and exemplary performance of duty”. Bob spent the next five and a half years in the National Guard, eventually ending up as Platoon Sergeant of a heavy weapons platoon. 

Bob met Linda Beth Denton, a college student and beauty queen at Baker University, who worked at an architectural firm two doors down from his office. Their courtship began with a “Coke date” in the basement of the Old Grund Hotel, followed by many outings to dinner, movies and picnics. Bob and Linda married in the First Pilgram Congregational Church in Kansas City on January 18, 1964.  They lived together in Kansas City, Kansas eventually settling at Lake Quivira, Kansas. 

Bob spent his entire career with the Ferris Kimball Company, a family business started by his father in 1930 that involved the sale and installation of refractory materials. He began in sales, eventually partnering with his father, and then becoming the sole owner. 

Bob was very active in his community with membership in the Rotary Club and Congressional Forum throughout his life. He served as President of the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary Club from 1971-72, 25 years after his father held the same post. He was the County Chairman for the Republican Candidate for Governor and was active in Bob Dole's campaigns for the U.S. Senate. He strongly believed that every citizen has an unqualified obligation in our democracy to vote. 

Bob was a sports and music enthusiast. He was an avid runner much of his life and was on a never-ending quest to improve his tennis game and catch that ever elusive, record-size muskie.  He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren on the tennis courts, soccer fields, and in the theatres. Bob valued education and was influential in encouraging his children and grandchildren to always work hard at school and to continue in their pursuit of higher education. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Linda Beth Denton. He is survived by two sons, Stephen Robert Kimball and Ferris Scott Kimball (Amy). He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Ashlynn Kimball Larsen (Harry) of Omaha, Nebraska, Samuel Kimball and Elle Kimball. 

Bob was a strong, determined, and fiercely independent man. We will miss him every day. 

Special thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission and Olathe Hospice House who provided invaluable care to Bob in his last months of life. 

Visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. with funeral services following at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1 at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia Street, Lenexa, KS. A private burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Wyandotte High School to help further higher education.


Condolences

Dennis Horner Apr 26, 2021

friend ,Lenexa ,Kansas

Dear Steve, Scott & Family, I was saddened this morning to learn your dad passed. I became neighbors with you in 1978 which led to a long friendship with your family. Bob was the epitome of a caring and loving father. Bob was a brilliant man who often inspired me. You were fortunate to have been under this tutelage. I was blessed to have Bob as a friend. May many fond memories give you peace.

Jay DeGoler Apr 26, 2021

Friend ,Kansas

Scott, So sorry to hear about your Dad. Growing up next door to your grandparents brings back many fond memories. I also enjoyed getting to know your Dad through the years. I will miss him. I hope your current sadness will be replaced by many happy memories.

Bruce and Marilyn Schlosser Apr 26, 2021

Friend ,Lenexa ,Kansas

Scott & Family: So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I first met Bob in 1975 when I joined the KCK Rotary Club. He quickly told me that he arranged for my first job. His high school after school job was to empty waste baskets and dust the floors at my Dad's office at 18th & Minnesota Avenue. When Bob left for college at KU, I was in the 8th grade and inherited his position. He reminded me of that often over the years as our friendship grew thru Rotary Club and Congressional Forum. He was always an inspiration an example of how things should be done. How fortunate I was to know him.

Thomas Pattison Apr 26, 2021

Sons’ friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Mr.Kimball was a true avatar of the “Greatest Generation”. As a neighbor kid (who came over to play more often that a kid should), he was so kind and generous to me. One time in 1984 we sat with him while he ate his dinner in front of the living room tv. He explained to us what a playoff game was (the Royals were playing). He explained what military service was, took me to church on occasion, fed me, gave me rides around the Lake, and offered many more life lessons too numerous to mention. RIP Mr. Kimball.

Pat and Gary Gaunce Apr 27, 2021

Longtime friend ,Kansas City ,Kansas

We feel privileged to have been friends with Bob since high school. Our friendship continued through shared community activities and our admiration for Bob and his generosity and compassion grew throughout those years. Wyandotte County has lost a loyal and supportive advocate and he will be missed by all of us who were honored to know him. Blessings to your family.

Terry Woodbury Apr 27, 2021

mentor to me ,Leawood ,Kansas

Bob & I bonded some 25 years ago during Rotary's cleanup of the I-435/State Ave interchange. Heart-to-heart and mind-to-mind 2-hour breakfast conversations ensued every so often. They nurtured my deep respect for his moral compass, his intellectual curiosity, his phenomenal memory of life-shaping events, and the great joy gleaned from special moments with his grandchildren. I claimed him as a mentor -- and still do. I hope God is ready for some tough 2-part questions!

Curtis &Susan Schuckman Apr 28, 2021

Friend ,Olathe ,Kansas

We have known Bob and Linda for forty years. As customers of ours they both always treated us as family. We always valued Bob’s business and friendship. We are very saddened to hear about the passing of Bob. One fond memory was a time when we found some turkey feathers in his backyard. Bob used them to dip into ink and write with them. Bob will truly be missed. Our deepest condolences to the family. Sending prayers and hugs to you all.

Romaine Schott May 04, 2021

friend ,Olathe ,Kansas

My sister, Marya, and I send our condolences to Bob's family. He was my dad's next door neighbor. My dad spoke fondly about Bob. They shared and discussed various literature, mostly current events, and respected each others' differences of opinion. We hope cherished memories of Bob help all of the family in your times of grief.

John Coakley May 10, 2021

long time friend and tennis player ,Kansas City ,Kansas

Scott, I send of late my heartfelt sympathy and prayers to your and your family on the passing to heaven of your father, Ferris Robert Kimball. My meeting Bob was through the Lake Quivira Tennis Club. He impressed me immediately as man of great character, education, and religious conviction. His competitive spirit was only surpassed by his respect for all as a gentleman. We had many conversations on faith and politics, as well as the unique personalities on our tennis group. I will certainly miss this giant of a man. John Coakley

Services

Event:
Visitation
Location:
Porter Funeral Home
Address:
8535 Monrovia St.
City:
Lenexa
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66215
Date:
May 01, 2021
Time:
9:00 AM
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map
Event:
Funeral Service
Location:
Porter Funeral Home
Address:
8535 Monrovia St.
City:
Lenexa
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66215
Date:
May 01, 2021
Time:
10:00 AM
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map