Robert Charles (Bob) Coffeen
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Robert Charles (Bob) Coffeen passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Lawrence, KS. He was born April 18, 1932, in Chicago, IL, to Michael Mortimer (Mort) and Roberta Carter Coffeen. He grew up in Chicago and Mattoon, IL, raised primarily by his grandparents, Robert and Hazel Carter.
After graduating from Mattoon High School in 1949, he headed to the University of Illinois. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity, and he kept life-long friendships from his college days.
On July 31, 1953, he married the love of his life, Joanne Banks Coffeen, in Mission, KS. They then moved to Fort Devens, MA, where he reported for active duty in the U.S. Army as a radio engineering officer.
After completing his service, Bob and Joanne returned to the Kansas City area. For several years he did electrical design for power stations and was the field engineer for the construction of a coal-fired power station. He then joined Burns & McDonnell Engineering, which had received the commission to do the electrical and mechanical design for Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. The firm asked him to handle the communications design as he was the only engineer with a communications background. This led to the design of an audio paging system for the new airport terminal building. He entered the sound system design field almost by accident.
Bob founded R.C. Coffeen & Associates in 1964, consulting in Electro-Acoustics and Industrial Control Systems. Following the mentorship of Dr. C. Paul Boner, Bob began employing a sound system equalization method on several projects. His firm then took off and expanded!
The company continued through the years as Coffeen Anderson Fricke & Associates, later as Coffeen Fricke & Associates, Inc., Consultants in Acoustics and Audio-Visual Communications. Bob was renowned for his research in acoustical engineering, particularly stadiums and performance venues. Key projects included the original sound systems for Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Station (GEHA Field). He was particularly proud of work done for arenas, stadiums, and churches across the United States, including Yardley Hall and Polsky Theatre at Johnson County Community College.
Bob’s skills were known internationally, resulting in many journeys around the globe. He was also a private pilot and at one point, the firm owned two airplanes. Flying was a great joy of Bob’s. The firm was later purchased and continues today as AVANT Acoustics in Lenexa, KS.
Bob resigned in 1995 so he could continue with his instruction in architectural acoustics at the University of Kansas. He was an adjunct faculty member with the School of Architecture until his retirement in 2017. In KU’s classrooms and labs, he worked with students in designing acoustics for planned or existing buildings and facilities. He taught them how to use computer modeling and auralization programs. A highlight of many years was an annual trip with students to Chicago for company and building tours. Former students and colleagues honored him with the Jack and Nancy Bradley Student Recognition Award. He also received an Excellence in Teaching Award, chosen by undergraduate students in KU’s Architectural Engineering department.
Bob received many industry honors throughout his career. He was named the 2006 National Systems Contractors Association Educator of the Year. He received the Rossing Prize as the nation’s top educator in acoustics by the Acoustical Society of America where he was a life member. Bob was a life member of the Audio Engineering Society and a Life Member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers.
Bob and Joanne were married for almost 69 years. She passed away on July 17, 2022. They raised their family in Roeland Park and Leawood, Kansas. Together they taught round dancing and appreciated many years of traveling around the country to festivals. They also enjoyed several overseas trips throughout Europe and the United Kingdom with dear friends. Bob and Joanne were active members at Countryside Christian Church in Mission and later at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village.
Bob was a true artist. He was an accomplished educator and loved his work. He always said that his grandmother, Hazel, helped set him on the right path. His determination and persistence, from a humble beginning in Chicago, led to an outstanding career.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Sharon Leatherman (Terry); Lawrence, KS; his son, Paul Coffeen (Margie), Austin, TX; four grandchildren – Robin Leatherman (Mohamed Aly), Lawrence; John Coffeen (Megan), Austin; Robert Coffeen, Austin, and Kelly Leatherman, Chicago. He had three great-grandchildren – Layla and Zayna Aly of Lawrence, and Mason Coffeen of Austin. He is also survived by his sister, Julie Rudawsky of Park Ridge, IL. The family would also like to thank the staff of Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living and Ascend Hospice for their excellent care and support.
A celebration of life visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11:00 ~ 1:00 p.m., at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, with brief comments by the family at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Acoustical Society Foundation Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family .
Bob had an amazing affect on many people worldwide- but we are particularly grateful for his influence and unending support and mentorship to our son. Thank you Bob- with eternal gratitude and respect- you will be missed and remembered always.
Bryan and Daphne Pippitt
The Coffeen Family,
I knew Bob through my acoustic consulting and teaching. His wise counsel was always delivered in a direct manner with that twinkle in his eyes and his big infectious smile. I will miss Bob and my prayers to the family.
Bob was a great acoustician and mentored me as a young consultant. He shared his design knowledge and had fun doing it. I am not sure he truly knew how many people/ students he inspired. He was one of the best of the best and will be missed.
Bob was a great friend and colleague who only had positive thoughts to share about others. He was a great role model and mentor to an entire generation following him and was always willing to share whatever knowledge or insight he had about an acoustical problem. He will be greatly missed. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Bob was a giver. He encouraged my start in acoustical and AV consulting, as he taught me how much fun he had round dancing at Purdue University. Who knew that even square dancing required a sophisticated sound reinforcement approach?! He always kept giving insight, wisdom, and his unique skills of knowledge freely to anyone, always without expectations. He was such a good man.
Bob’s standard of AV and acoustical engineering excellence positively influenced numerous airports, stadiums, arenas, theaters, churches, synagogues, etc. I learned design and construction principles from CFA, then my daughter experienced him as a KU professor years later. As time wore on, I met others in the industry that saw Bob as some variation of employer, mentor or peer. And, we’re all better off for the experience.
It is extremely sad to hear this. As a very green rep. in the audio industry I first met Bob in 1980. Bob was a great mentor for me, and always had an open door, allowing me to present my products. He took the time to explain why he did or did not like a product and if it fit his applications. Bob taught me a great, great deal about audio electronics and acoustics. I enjoyed our visits at his office or at a trade show. His influence made a giant impact on my career. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. God bless you Bob.
To the Coffeen family, I was one of Bob’s students in architectural engineering at KU. He was a great mentor to many of us, and we were blessed with his many connections in the acoustics and audio consulting world, as he was able to introduce us students to many of the firms across the world. He opened up a wildly interesting portion of the built world to us in his unique and charismatic way, and opened a world of opportunity in jobs. He was an old-school engineer, and his energy level and Mr. Science Guy way of teaching acoustics was refreshing and connected easily with all the students. I traveled to NSCA to help him teach EASE and he helped me get job interviews at 4 different firms in the corners of the US. This led me to the career path I am still on after 23 years. I can’t thank Bob enough and may he rest in peace. Or perhaps rest in energy, as Bob was always on the go!
Bob lived the kind of life worth living. Always learning, teaching, inspiring others, and working to make the world a better place. He taught me to invent as much as seek out opportunities. He trained a whole generation how to make spaces that sound great and he never stopped learning and teaching. We all learned so much more from Bob than just the subject matter of the classes he taught. In the link below are a few stories remembering my time with Bob that I know are similar to the experiences of many others. I hope the stories might bring joy as we remember Bob and celebrate his amazing life. Thanks to the Coffeen family for sharing him with his all of us over the many years. It is the kind of gift that can only be repaid forward to those that come after us.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0f7bv1ernf7oje3108ilp/Remembering-Bob.pdf?rlkey=1c1i7k6109ym35h6fprlx53i8&dl=0
I knew Bob professionally, but to work with Bob always meant that you knew him personally as well. He was a great scientist with a great heart. My condolences to Bob’s family and to all who knew him and enjoyed him so much.