William Robert "Bob" Aylward

William Robert “Bob” Aylward, 88, died January 15, 2017, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. The funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Ann Catholic Church, 7231 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS; burial in Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO. Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

The family suggests contributions to Rockhurst High School, Rockhurst University, or the church.

Bob was a larger than life figure to his family and friends right from the start. He weighed 12 pounds when he was born at St. Luke’s in Kansas City on July 28, 1928, making him the largest baby to be delivered at the hospital at that time. He was a natural athlete and excelled at any sport he played at St. Elizabeth Grade School and Rockhurst High School: football, basketball, and baseball. He was on the football team at the University of Notre Dame his first two years of college and then transferred to Rockhurst College where he was a running back on the varsity football team. He was named a member of the Football Hall of Fame at both Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College. After graduating from college, Bob was a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard. One of the highlights of his Coast Guard years was getting to guide the ocean liner Queen Mary into port.

Following his military service, Bob and his younger brother, Dick, joined their older brother Chuck as owners of Aylward Products, a company that sold construction supplies throughout Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. Bob was a born salesman and many of the clients that he wined and dined became part of his large circle of friends. Bob served as campaign manager for one of his best friends, “Walkin’ Joe” Teasdale when he won the governor’s race in Missouri. Bob was inducted into the Missouri Squires for his political work. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and one of his proudest accomplishments was serving as a commissioner for the Missouri Conservation Commission. The W. Robert Aylward Education Pond in the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area was named in his honor.

Bob achieved another distinction in being named as one Kansas City’s most eligible bachelors. He may have been single for much of his life, but he was never alone for very long. He surprised everyone when he married for the first time at the age of 82 after all those years of dodging the altar. His wife, Brenda, enjoyed entertaining as much as he did and their home became a party hub.

Bob was the expert when it came to throwing a good party. The fun could get a little out of hand at his lake home on Lake Lotawana where the neighbors’ complaints often brought in the local police to quiet things down. His condominium in Vail, Colorado was another great entertainment spot for Bob and he became quite an accomplished snow skier. He could be fiercely competitive in any sport he played. He won many trophies from the Kansas City Athletic Club for his prowess on the handball court. No matter how competitive things got, Bob never lost his wonderful sense of humor. His favorite entertainer was W.C. Fields and if you called his answering machine, you would get his spot on impersonation of the comedian.

Many people might be surprised to know how deeply Bob was to his Catholic faith. He was a daily communicant and considered God to be his best friend. Throughout his life, Bob was generous in helping many charities and friends in need. When his health declined in recent years, his friends repaid the favor by visiting when he was in the hospital – often the room would be packed with visitors. The family is especially grateful to his friend, Ralph Telkin, who brought Communion to him when Bob wasn’t able to make it to church.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Charles L. Aylward and Dorothy Burnett Aylward; his sisters, Kathleen Mitchell and Mary Ann Henn; his brother, Chuck and his wife, Rosemary; and his brother, Dick. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his sister, Jean Dunn and her husband, Bill; Dick’s wife, Gwen; a stepdaughter, Darci Stonebraker; a stepson, Todd Stonebraker; many nephews, nieces and their children; and many friends who will miss the big man with the even bigger heart.