Robert Michael Boland, 73, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully Sunday, September 13, 2026, at his home. He was born January 15, 1953, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Bob will be remembered for his witty sense of humor and trademark “Bobisms.” He loved music, woodworking, tennis and the Chicago Bears, but his greatest joy was simply spending time with his family. He was very proud of his family.
Bob married Karen Atwood on March 1, 1979, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. When he met her, he knew she was the one – not only because of her voice, but because of her kindness. They shared 47 years of marriage.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Maxine Boland; and brother, George Boland.
Surviving family includes his wife, Karen Boland; son, Shawn Boland (Lynne); daughter, Kristy Brown (Richard); daughter, Chelsea Boland; nephew, Robert Boland (Lisa); 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In keeping with his wishes, no funeral services will be held. Friends and family are invited to share their favorite memories and stories by signing the online guestbook below.
UNKA Bob ❤️
I hope you know just how much you meant to us. You truly were the best UNKA Bob our kids could have ever asked for. I can never thank you enough for always making our kids a priority, showing up for them, remembering the little things, and making them feel so loved and important.
You had a way of making them feel like they were the most important people in the room, and those are the things they will remember forever. The laughs, the stories, the little moments, and simply knowing that UNKA Bob was always there.
Thank you for loving our kids so genuinely and for loving all of us as a family. I’m so grateful they got to have you in their lives, and I’m grateful for every memory we have with you.
It still doesn’t feel real that you’re not here. We are going to miss you so damn much. ? You will forever be a part of our family, our memories, and our hearts.
We love you, UNKA Bob. Until we see you again. ❤️?️
UNKA Bob ❤️
I hope you know just how much you meant to us. You truly were the best UNKA Bob our kids could have ever asked for. I can never thank you enough for always making our kids a priority, showing up for them, remembering the little things, and making them feel so loved and important.
You had a way of making them feel like they were the most important people in the room, and those are the things they will remember forever. The laughs, the stories, the little moments, and simply knowing that UNKA Bob was always there.
Thank you for loving our kids so genuinely and for loving all of us as a family. I’m so grateful they got to have you in their lives, and I’m grateful for every memory we have with you.
It still doesn’t feel real that you’re not here. We are going to miss you so damn much. ? You will forever be a part of our family, our memories, and our hearts.
We love you, UNKA Bob. Until we see you again. ❤️?️
From Lyla…
Grandpa, I will miss waking up in the morning sometimes and finding guitar tutorials and oldies music that you sent to me at 2 am! Also all the latest news and behind the scenes info about Wizard of Oz! When i went on stage to play the Scarecrow I thought of you and your love for that movie and it made me act it out the best I could cause I knew you’d be seeing it and I wanted to do just as good a job as the movie! I remeber that one time we sent emojis back and forth seeing how many we could find that resembled Wizard of Oz! And you told me every second of life went by quickly so don’t miss out on it. I miss you and love you!??
Bob,
When we first met 24 years ago I had no idea yet that our lives would eventually become intertwined as one family. At the time, I just thought you were pretty cool for a girlfriend’s dad. You would talk to me like just another person, not like a child. You showed me around your project cars, we shared musical tastes and enjoyed talking about how much the big bosses at work always sucked. Over time you would become a fantastic grandfather to my daughters. Watching them when we needed help with daycare. Teaching them to love the Bears and hate the Packers. Teaching them about Bear corn, decades of music, and worrying over them when they went to college just as much as we did. When it was time to say good bye, you kept your chin up and you made sure the girls never saw your pain and always focused on a life that was lived and not a life at its end. You are already missed, Bob.
Love,
Richard
Dad, my days feel so much quieter without you. Thank you for the daily songs, the dinner videos that always made me smile, and all your ‘Bobisms’ that made me laugh. You showed your love every single day in the little things. The world is a lot less bright without you, but every time I hear Guns N’ Roses, and see the Bears play football, I will think of you. Rest easy, Dad. Love you and I’ll miss you everyday.
Worked with Bob in Marion and Hiawatha for many years, had a lot of laughs over his dislike of country music. We had quite the rivalry between the Bears and Vikings. His “Bobisms” were the best!
I’m so heartbroken to lose my grandpa. He was one of my favorite people. I could be silly around him and he was silly with us. Every time I see a squirrel I think of him he called Mya and I his squirrels ?️. From babysitting us and watching Fraggle Rock and westerns together to making us Mac and cheese with hot dogs and dying it cool colors so it was fun. I will miss your bearcorn so much! Popcorn with a mix of any sugar in the house.
Everytime I see the Chicago Bears I think of you since you loved the bears!!! I’l miss the spam messages from you of music, fun videos, your nightly dinner, and food discounts around Lawrence you thought we would like. I’ll also miss your bobisms so much. You connected things in the craziest ways and man I miss hearing them so much. I remember you yelling “uh oh spaghettio meatballs” with us. Your music taste was like no other and I have learned so many good songs through you. I miss you so much already grandpa I love you so much. ?
Truly the best grandpa I could ever ask for ?? He was such a joy to be around and I always had the most fun with him! I am so lucky and grateful that he was in my life for so long. As he would’ve said, “if you have your family, a roof over your head, and food on the table, everything else is just glitter.” Rest in peace Grandpa ?️