Robert P Kopecky, Age: 73
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Mar 25, 1953---Jul 03, 2026

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).

In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial contributions to the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

 


Condolences

Broyles Family Jul 08, 2026

In-law ,Carlabad ,California

We hadn't seen Bob since Lia's college graduation back on 2004. Unfortunately due to Bob's health condition we were unable to reunite for her wedding and just life passes you by you don't realize time has passed by. We spoke with him at least every year until health problems made those calls fewer and far between. Bob was a hoot. He always made us laugh. It was almost like having an extension of Mark again. Mark (who was my bro-in-law) was like a dad to me and so I'm still in shock honestly. Hasn't hit me yet. I'm glad Bob was able to reunite with extended family moving back to the midwest. After Paul, Betty and Mark gone it only seemed natural. We will miss you Uncle Bob! I wish you could've met Christin and Jordyn. Thank you to the Kolariks and Specht families for taking care of Uncle Bob. Our heartfelt condolences to all. Love, Rose, Chris, Christin, and Jordyn Brees.

Josie Kopecky Jul 09, 2026

Sister-In-Law ,CARLSBAD ,California

Bob has always been a special brother to me. We’ve always had a special bond. Mark, my belated husband, introduced me to Bob first before meeting “PAK & BED” (their nicknames) ever since Mark and I dated in those days and frequently met Bob in Berkeley - where his alma mater,UC Berkeley, is. We will miss our fun-loving “Uncle Bob”~ which is his nickname with all my family members as Bob is Lia’s favorite uncle and is one of Lia’s precious “Godfathers .” Bob has always been so very proud of Lia, my daughter, and never fail to tell me how much he loved her. My belated husband, Mark and Bob, were very close brothers & both had a great sense of humor! We always had such a great time when “Uncle Bob” is around. He was such a hoot! We were always laughing and had a great time. When Mark & Bob were together, the subjects will always be about football and their favorite 49ers ~their favorite in those days were the great Joe Montana, Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice,Ronny Lot, Roger Craig, their coach Bill Walsh, etc .) I remembered when the 49ers won their very first SuperBowl in 1982~ I was pregnant with Lia at the time and the two brothers were on that old classic long corded yellow phone talking for hours so thrilled about the 49ers’ very first SuperBowl. My family with 3 brothers and 3 sisters, many nephews and nieces, had always considered Bob as our very own family. He was always there for family picnics, family get-together, holidays and special occasions, etc. He’s always been a family man and had always loved our family tradition and look forward to eating all kinds of “Filipino Food” as we always served bountiful meals! His very favorite is “LUMPIA (like egg rolls) & PANSIT (like chow mein) & barbecue pork sticks Even my nieces and nephews loved uncle Bob. Bob never missed calling me on my annual birthdays in all those years which I always look forward to. He would always tell me how much Lia is like his daughter and is very precious to him. We would talk about the good old days with Mark, Betty and Paul. Lia & Bob were very close. Lia made sure that her Uncle Bob was a part of her wedding even when he couldn’t make it as he suffered a stroke. Uncle Bob is in a special video clip congratulating Lia & Eric (her husband) that Lia played at her wedding reception. Thousands of Treasured Memories indeed with uncle Bob! We are heartbroken and will miss our beloved Uncle Bob but we know that you are now with my loving belated husband Mark, our precious “Paul & “Betty” in real Paradise having a great time together, having a blast with all the joy and laughter that we all shared and reminisce! We are all blessed to have had “Uncle Bob” in our lives! WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND TREASURE PROFOUNDLY OUR SPECIAL UNCLE BOB

Cora Jul 09, 2026

sis-in-law of Bob's brother Mark Kopecky ie Josie Kopecky ,Oceanside ,California

Words can't express the sorrow of the passing of dear Bob. Despite of distance, thoughts are always within. It's very heartwarming knowing that Bob was loved by many, especially the ones who took him in their arms during unexpected moments. Bob's with heavenly Father now and may those who gave their all for taking care of Bob will have a lasting blessings now and the future ahead. P.S. to Bob: hey buddy, you're blessed with such a caring family where you were and we always thought of you. Kevin said hello. Thanks for the kid's fun with you during camping. Lifetime memories to cherish with you buddy. Btw, Say hello to Betty and Paul. Love you Bob, Cora, Kevin & Lianni

Services

Event:
Rosary
Location:
Queen of the Holy Rosary
Address:
7023 West 71st Street
City:
Overland Park
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66204
Date:
Jul 10, 2026
Time:
10:00 AM
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map
Event:
Funeral Mass
Location:
Queen of the Holy Rosary
Address:
7023 West 71st Street
City:
Overland Park
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66204
Date:
Jul 10, 2026
Time:
10:30 AM
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map