Robert “Bob” Arthur Billquist, 86, of Olathe, Kansas passed away at the Olathe Medical Center on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. He will forever be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to everyone he met. “Bob,” as he was known by his family and friends, was born on July 31, 1933 in Hinsdale, Illinois to Arthur S. and Rose A. (Piper) Billquist. He attended and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force for four years. On September 27, 1958, he married the love of his life, Roslyn Lucille (Leach), and together they raised their four children, Michael, Patrick, Pamela and Mark. He had a long career with the United States Postal Service and taught postal customer service courses for Kansas City Kansas Community College and Washburn University.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Rose Billquist, and sister, Sylvia Billquist. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Roslyn L. Billquist, of the home, four children, Michael Billquist and his wife, Amy, of Shawnee, Kansas, Patrick Billquist and his wife, Regina, of El Dorado Hills, California, Pamela Robbins and her husband, Mark, of Olathe, Kansas and Mark Billquist of Olathe, Kansas. Left behind to cherish his memory are his sixteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three cats. He will be sadly missed by his brother, Peter Billquist, and his wife, Marilynn, of Arcadia, Florida and his sister, Anita Louise Kick and her husband, John, of Jacksonville, Florida.
Bob will be cremated according to his wishes. A “Celebration of Life” Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 9th at 12:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 21650 West 115th Terrace, in Olathe. A private family inurnment, with full Military Honors, in Leavenworth National Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Because of Bob’s lifelong commitment to his Catholic faith, a memorial contribution may be made to St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 21650 West 115th Terrace, Olathe, Kansas 66061. In lieu of flowers, a charitable contribution can also be made in his honor to the 10-33 Foundation – Kansas Chapter, P.O. Box 46, Winchester, Kansas 66097, or the Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship Fund at Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, 1055 Broadway Blvd. Suite 130, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
Condolences may be offered at: www.McGilley-Frye.com
Grandchildrens’ Memories
*Vanessa Billquist Peterson - I remember all the great advice he gave. He didn't take any crap from anyone but loved us all fiercely!
*Melanie Billquist - I loved waking up early in the mornings when I stayed with my grandparents to share fresh coffee with him while I watched him eat his healthy breakfasts. He used to come watch me play sports growing up. He was my #1 fan. I know he was proud of me. He would brag about me to his workout friends. I learned so much about how to care for others watching him. He cared for his family. Truth is, I was proud of him too.
*Amber Dawn Billquist - I don't have a lot of memories with him as I was the kid that ran around too much and didn't think about losing someone too soon. What I did see was a man who took care of his family, did the chores even with his allergies, cared for his wife when she couldn't get around as well.
*Marisa Robbins - I'll miss all the stories he used to tell me about his life, how he would buy me whatever ice cream I wanted when I came to stay the night at his house, and playing golf with him when I was younger.
*Clare Robbins - I love you grandpa. Rest easy! Thanks for waiting on me to get home. You’re always going to be my GUARDIAN ANGEL.
*Shelby Billquist Sutton - I love you Grandpa. Thank you for loving your entire family so much. Always having a joke to tell and sharing stories of your life with us. We are all going to miss you so much, even Alvin.
