Robert "Bob" Joseph Edinger

It is with equal parts heartbreak and joy that we share that Bob (Robert) Joseph Edinger went home to Jesus in the early hours of Saturday, September 14, 2024, after a brief battle with an unknown illness. Bob was surrounded by his wife and two children as he passed at the age of 70.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 47 years, Teresa; his daughter Sara Gordon; his son Bryan Edinger and daughter-in-law Amanda; and of course BobBob’s biggest fans, his grandchildren: Anna, Betty, Elaina, Millie, and Wade.

Bob will be deeply missed by his brother Chuck (Suzanne) Edinger; two sisters-in-law: Marcia (Tom) Matter; Barbara (Kurby) Dawson; his beloved nephews and nieces: Aaron, Jeff, Ryan, Joel, Rebecca, and Shannon; great nieces and nephews: Jackson, Tommy, Nina, Reese, Ella, Charlie, Beck, Benji, Kaiden, Dylan, and Weston; and his family-in-love Mark, Ann, Julie, Matt, Madilyn, Henry, and Reed.

He was preceded in death by his Pop: Don (Katie) Edinger; mother: Mary (Tom) Porter; and adored mother-in-law: Betty Beck Wiseman.

Bob was born and raised in North Kansas City, Missouri. Norclay, Northgate, and North Kansas City High School are where he met and made lifelong friends, later marrying his high school sweetheart Teresa (Beck) Edinger. BJ attended “SMSU” (Missouri State University) where he became a TKE - connecting to more life long friends and making memories, some of which are still held between his “brothers in the bond!”

In 1976, Bob proposed to Teresa. Her mother said, “You can’t marry that boy - he doesn’t even have a job!” The next day, Bob went to A.O. Thompson Lumber Company (now McCray Lumber Company) where he started out sweeping floors and building loads of lumber. He then began answering the phones and, over time, moved from inside sales to an outside sales position. He was a residential lumber salesman for over 20 years before moving to a Manager position in 2004, when he opened a new location of McCray Lumber Company in Liberty, Missouri.

Bob fondly bragged on many people from McCray, sounding more like a proud father and friend than a coworker/boss. On December 31, 2020, Bob “retired” but went back to sales with a few friends/customers. Perhaps it was his love of the industry and the amazing people and memories made on company trips (Cannonball Bob) that made working a joy instead of a job. As much as he loved his career, and the opportunities extended to him by the McCray family, everyone knew his family came first.

He loved his wife unabashedly. She would receive random deliveries of gifts, flowers for no reason, and he never shied away from hugs and kisses! Their dating life only seemed to improve through the years. They loved unique restaurants and discovering new adventures in Kansas City with friends. Some of their favorite memories include recent travel with family and friends, after dinner drives in his convertible, quiet nights on their screened in porch, January in Florida, and Sunday morning breakfasts at Mildred’s.

He never missed a single moment raising his children. Through coaching teams, leading youth trips to camp, helping with homework, staying up late enough to make sure we were home safe before going to bed, Dad never left a space for us to question his love; he showed us every day Our dad loved us “by just showing up.” Those were words he lived by. On September 1, he texted our family group chat: “I have often told dads that 50% of parenting is just being there. Kids growing up are happy just for you to be there, even if you’re not really doing anything. Happy and secure.”

BobBob continued this legacy of love with the birth of his 5 precious grandchildren; each of them experiencing his unwavering love at all times.

They knew his joy. They knew how much he loved Jesus. They knew he was the planner of vacations and the seeker of FUN! He sang terribly, danced proudly, and DJ’d constantly. He loved being on the golf course. He loved playing his new bongos or whatever new instrument he was trying at the moment! He loved cigars and a good glass of wine but most often when sharing it with a friend or family member. He loved his friends and had the best of them. He loved to plan trips as much as the travel itself, recently pinning his Caribbean destinations on his wall map. He loved coaching boys’ and girls’ tennis at Oak Park High School. He loved fishing, even when his youngest granddaughter “accidentally” dropped his pole in Lake Taneycomo! He was such a good storyteller, and he loved telling them even if those listening had heard the same story 10 times.

The most important thing Bob, Dad, BobBob gave to us was the best earthly example of what Jesus’ unconditional love looked and felt like, making it so easy for all us to want that kind of faith and relationship with God.

We boldly begged for miraculous healing Friday night before he passed. But, we also told God that if full bodily restoration on earth was not part of his plan, to bring him home to Heaven and we would trust Him. While the utter shock and heartbreak are yet to be fully grasped, we rejoice with certainty knowing he is dancing proudly this day in Heaven; and hopefully he has found a pair of bongos.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Park High School (825 NE 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64118) on Saturday, September 28; with calling hours from 1-3 pm in the courtyard and a service at 3 pm in the auditorium. If you have any photos you wish to share, please email them to: [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, consider honoring Bob’s legacy by contributing to one of the organizations below that represent a few of his many passions:

• Wade’s Warriors Step Up Walk Team, benefitting Down Syndrome Innovations, by clicking the “♥

GIVE” button in the top right corner: https://stepupwalk.org/team/wades-warriors/

• “Oak Park PTSA: Tennis Programs,” in Memory of Coach Bob

• Homefront Community Development Inc. https://homefrontnkc.org

Thank you for your prayers, hugs, encouraging words, food, texts, calls, cards, visits, social media posts, and so much more. We are overwhelmed by your loving kindnesses and want you all to know how much it means to us during this time.