Robert W. Atkinson, 86, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Faith Baptist Church, 23705 East State, Route 2, Harrisonville, with burial in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Visitation was held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Parks & Recreation Foundation, c/o Atkinson Funeral Home.

Bob was born November 7, 1929 at the family home in Archie, Missouri, the son of Leroy "Roy" and Bessie (Easterla) Atkinson. He spent his youth in Archie and was a 1947 graduate of Archie High School. He attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri on a basketball scholarship. He was a 1950 graduate of Kansas City College of Mortuary Science, and shortly after joined the U.S. Air Force, serving for two years.

Bob was united in marriage to Jean L. Kennedy, daughter of Edward Lyle and Grace Ellen (Uhrig) Kennedy, on December 31, 1950 at the Harrisonville First Christian Church. They lived in Austin, Texas while Bob was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base. After his discharge, they returned to Archie, where Bob entered the funeral business with his father. He purchased his Uncle Floyd Atkinson's interest in the business in 1953 and the family moved into the funeral home in Harrisonville. They continued to reside in the funeral home until his retirement in 1993. A funeral director and embalmer for over 40 years, Bob owned and operated the Atkinson Funeral Homes in Harrisonville, Archie and Adrian, Missouri. In addition to running the funeral home, Bob ran the Ambulance service in Harrisonville until the early 1970's.

Bob and Jean became "snowbirds" traveling first to Florida and later to Apache Junction, Arizona. An avid fisherman, Bob spent winter months fishing for crappie and always returned to Harrisonville with plenty of fish for his numerous fish fries he held for his family and friends.

Always active in the community and his church, Bob was a charter member and deacon of Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville. He was a Board member and coach of Harrisonville Junior Baseball; an Eagle Scout and a Warrior of Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was past president and member of the Harrisonville School Board (1967-1975); a 65-year member of Cass Masonic Lodge #147 AF&AM, Harrisonville; former member, Ambassador, and past president (1984) of Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed to the first park board in 1963 and had served as chairman numerous times before stepping down in 1986 after 23 years. He was a former member and past-president (1988-1989) of the Harrisonville Rotary Club, and past president of the Kansas City Funeral Directors Association. He served on the Cass County Information Building Committee and its Board of Trustees.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jean, of the home; four sons, William L. Atkinson, Harrisonville, Missouri, David R. Atkinson and his wife, Virginia, Harrisonville, Robert L. Atkinson, Atlanta, Georgia, and Paul E. Atkinson and his wife, Nancy, Raymore, Missouri; 6 grandchildren, Micheal L. Atkinson, Troy D. Atkinson, Robert D. "Max" Atkinson, Evangeline G. "Eve" Atkinson, Kennedy W. Atkinson, and Virginia Grace Atkinson; and one sister, Lois M. Day, Archie, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Nadine Lethcho and Wilma Dickey.

As a father, Bob rarely got angry or raised his voice; but always led by example, we knew what was expected of us. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the community.