Robert E. ‘Bob’ Rose

Robert E. “Bob” Rose, 98, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 8, 2022.

Bob was born on January 31, 1924, in a rural home northeast of Perry, Kansas, the son of Albert Ayer Rose and Bessie Button Rose. After attending Buck Creek and Perry schools, he worked on local farms. Later, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served on the USS Wakefield during World War II.

After returning home to Kansas, he married his lifelong companion Leda E. Ridlon on October 20, 1948, in Yellville, Arkansas. They had a farm in Clinton, Kansas, then moved to Lawrence when the Clinton reservoir was built. Together Bob and Leda shared 64 years of marriage. She preceded him in death in 2013.

Bob was a heavy equipment operator and proud member of Operating Engineers Local 101. He retired in 1988. He loved raising horses and delighted in watching passersby admiring the ponies in the pasture at his home in east Lawrence. He and his Shetland ponies would draw a crowd when they pulled a wagon through local streets and walked in local parades. Bob was a big sports fan and spent many years as a youth baseball coach. He also enjoyed competitive team calf roping, dancing with Leda, camping, boating, trotline fishing, reading and watching Westerns, and spending time with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and a large network of friends.

Survivors include four sons, Robert Rose and wife Wendy, Monte Rose and wife Sharon, and Randall Rose, all of Lawrence, and Joe Rose and wife Diane, of Roseburg, Oregon; a daughter, Becky Wright, Lawrence; 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

A memorial visitation will be Thursday, 6-7 PM, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.