Robert Neil Sanner, 67, died July 21 at home with his family after fighting cancer for more than three years. He cherished his roles as a devoted father and husband. Throughout his life and career, he followed his natural calling to mentor and coach children and young athletes—and provide opportunities for them to learn, build confidence and enjoy camaraderie.
Bob’s family and friends will celebrate his life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St., followed by a 2:30 p.m. reception at Maceli’s Banquet Hall, 1031 New Hampshire St.
Bob was born Feb. 1, 1957, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of James C. and Lee Sanner. He was the fourth of eight children—three sons and five daughters whose exploits became fodder for countless entertaining stories through the years. The family moved to Wichita, where Bob spent much of his childhood and his early teenage years. In the early 1970s, the Sanners moved to Topeka; Bob graduated from Topeka West High School in 1975.
Bob followed his older brother, Michael, to the University of Kansas and Delta Upsilon fraternity, where he became known as BoSan or Bo. He reveled (sometimes too much) in fraternity and college life, and he especially enjoyed competing on the DU intramural basketball and football teams that won championships on the Hill. DU gave shy, soft-spoken Bob the opportunity to make rock-solid friendships that endured throughout his life. His fraternity brothers became vital sources of strength and support, and they remain part of Bob’s extended family.
As a KU junior, Bob met Jennifer Jackson, a freshman, on Oct. 1, 1977, in a Mass Street bar called The Brewery. They dated throughout college and married on April 24, 1982, in Topeka.
After he graduated in 1980 from the KU School of Business, Bob and his close friend Paul Mokeski gutted and renovated the former Quantrill’s Bar at 715 Mass St. and opened Bottoms Up, a “fine drinking establishment.” While Paul began his NBA career, Bob operated Bottoms Up with a team that included longtime roommates and dear friends Mark Wells, Ron Innes and Steve Southern, along with many other Jayhawk friends.
Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit and his creativity, along with his talents for solving problems and building trusted relationships, served him well throughout his professional life. After selling the bar, Bob began his career in sales, most notably as an advertising representative for golf industry magazines GCM and Golf Course News.
He later devoted more than 12 years to attracting and operating distinctive athletic events in Lawrence, creating new sources of tourism and economic impact for the community he treasured. Events included youth and collegiate cross country meets, girls’ softball and boys’ basketball tournaments, collegiate and professional cycling events, and youth and professional track and field competitions. He forged relationships with city and county departments and agencies, KU and Kansas Athletics, local and national sponsors, community volunteers, and national sports governing organizations, including USA Cycling and USA Track and Field. He was most proud of the Tour of Lawrence, an annual three-day professional cycling competition that also included a Mass Street race for children; the Downtown Lawrence Men’s Shot Put, which featured Olympians and world champions; and the USA Track & Field Junior Olympics, which brought more than 8,000 young competitors and their families to Lawrence in summer 2017. Bob was deeply grateful for the advocacy and support of staunch friends Reed Dillon, Steve Schwada and Tom Hays in these endeavors.
In retirement, Bob’s most prized role was as an assistant coach for the Free State High School cross country teams led by Coach Steve Heffernan. He relished the opportunity to mentor runners throughout summer conditioning and fall competitions, and he delighted in attending the seniors’ graduation parties.
For decades, Bob faithfully participated in a revered local tradition: Noon Hoops games at the Lawrence Community Building, KU’s Robinson Gymnasium and Allen Field House. He also enjoyed home renovation and construction projects with his younger brother, Steven. Bob volunteered to coach youth soccer and basketball teams, and for nearly 40 years he belonged to Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served as a Vestry member, junior warden and stewardship co-chair.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Lee; his eldest sister, Pattie Sanner; and nieces Emily Sanner and Amy Stadler. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jennifer; and his three children: Rachel Kathleen Sanner and her partner, Evan Rose; Robert Jackson Sanner and his partner, E.J. Berry IV; and Claire Elizabeth Sanner. Other survivors include Bob’s father, Jim, and Bob’s siblings: J. Michael Sanner and his wife, Cathy; Barbara Sanner; Karen Stadler and her husband, Claude; Marilyn Kay Segura and her husband, Eddie; Amy Booth and her husband, Colin; and Steven Sanner and his wife, Dee. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Jo Jackson; his brother-in-law, Kent Jackson, and his wife, Kali Hague; 20 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and extended family as well as longtime friends and neighbors.
The family sends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jodie Barr, Cori Green and the entire team at the LMH Health Cancer Center; Dr. Darren Klish and the team at LMH Health Precision Cancer Care; Dr. Ralph Park of LMH Health General Surgery; and the devoted nurses of LMH Health. Special thanks also go to physicians at The University of Kansas Health System: Dr. David Rouse, Dr. Yelizaveta Shnayder, Dr. Jesalyn Tate, Dr. Gary Doolittle and Dr. Christopher Lominska. The Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association provided care during Bob’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bob’s memory to:
• The LMH Health Foundation for the benefit of the LMH Health Cancer Center Expansion:
316 Maine
Lawrence, KS 66044
To give online, visit lmh.org/foundation/donate-online/
• KU Endowment for the benefit of the KU Cancer Center:
KU Endowment Memorial
Honoring Bob Sanner P.O. Box 928 Lawrence, KS 66044 If sending a check, please note in the check’s memo line: In Memory of Bob Sanner. To give online, visit kuendowment.org/memorials
In the “Other Purpose Field,” enter “KU Cancer Center,” and enter “Bob Sanner” in the field asking who is being memorialized.
