Robert E. Cox

Bob was born on August 28, 1929, to Arthur and Kathryn (Dwyer) Cox and grew up near the bustling intersection of 39th and Prospect, in Kansas City, Missouri. A neighborhood alive with energy and opportunity that helped shape the spirited, curious young man he would become. From an early age, Bob approached life with determination and enthusiasm. He graduated from Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Rockhurst High School, where he enjoyed the classroom and competing in athletics. A natural leader with a strong sense of purpose, he proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America.

On his seventeenth birthday, Bob joined the United States Marine Corps. Following his military service, he returned to Kansas City and pursued higher education with characteristic discipline and ambition - graduating from Rockhurst College in 3 years. Bob also earned an MBA from the University of Missouri - Columbia.

While attending a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) hayride in the fall of 1948, Bob met the wonderful Millie Mulligan! He forwent his college graduation ceremony on June 2, 1951, so he could participate in a different ceremony - a wedding ceremony, one which included a beautiful bride named Millie! Their enduring partnership and nearly 70-year marriage became the cornerstone of a large and loving family. Together they raised six children and created a home filled with faith, laughter, learning, and unwavering support.

Bob’s drive to become actively engaged in everyday life began at an early age. He started working for the Marshall Mills Popcorn company when he was thirteen. By the age of fifteen he was driving the company truck - making deliveries to hotels and taverns, in every corner of the city. For two years over holiday breaks from school, he delivered mail for the US Postal Service. Additionally, for several years he worked the wee-hours of Sunday mornings for The Kansas City Star - assembling, bundling and loading the paper on trucks for early morning delivery.

He later built a successful career with the Bendix Corporation in Kansas City and Southfield, Michigan, where he was especially proud of his work in establishing Bendix’s Advanced Technology Research Center in Columbia, Maryland, where he was a Director and Charter Member.

After retirement, Bob and Millie settled in Northwest Arkansas, where he continued doing what he loved most: learning and teaching. He taught at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and remained, in every sense, a lifelong student. His passions were many and pursued wholeheartedly: sailing, golfing, fishing, cycling, running, watercolor painting, writing, teaching, and traveling. He especially treasured trips to Ireland, where he delighted in exploring his family roots in County Tipperary.

Bob’s life was a testament to devotion: to his Catholic faith, to his family, to his country, and to a life lived with purpose and adventure. His memory will continue to inspire all who were lucky enough to have known him. Bob will be remembered for his warmth, charm, artistic spirit, and endless curiosity about the world. He had a gift for conversation and a genuine interest in people that made everyone around him feel valued.

Bob was preceded in death by his daughter Susie in 2019 and by his cherished wife Millie in 2020.

He is survived by five of his children: Steve Cox (Mary Pat) of Overland Park, Kansas; Kate Koerner (Scott) of Columbia, Missouri; Chris Cox of Kansas City, Missouri; Kevin Cox (JoAnn) of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado; and Colleen Thompson (Bill) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, his sister Barbara Betsworth of Independence, Missouri, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

As his children, we say, “Dad, well done!” In true Bob Cox fashion, we know his response is simply, “Indeed."

The family invites friends and loved ones to join them for the Mass of the Resurrection at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131, on July 31, 2026. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am followed by The Rosary at 10:45 am and Mass at 11:00 am.