Robert E. Lisbon

Funeral services for Robert E. “Bob” Lisbon, 75, Lawrence, KS will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, September 13, 2010 at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence.  Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.  He died on Thursday, September 09, 2010 at his home, following a long battle with prostate cancer.

He was born on September 26, 1934 in Hartford, CT, the son of Earl and Mabel Hammick Lisbon.  He served in the U.S. Army. 

Bob graduated from the University of Hartford (formerly Hillyer College) in Bloomfield, CT with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He was very active in baseball and basketball in college and in other sports most of his life.  He attended the Boston Red Sox Fantasy Camp Dream Week in January 2000, at the age of 65.  His interest in sports carried through to an active interest in the sports activities of all his grandchildren.

Most of his career, Bob was in the HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration) industry.  During that time, the family lived in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Illinois and Kansas. He moved to Lawrence in 1977 from Illinois. He retired in December 1994.

After his retirement, Bob and his wife, Jan, volunteered for the International Executive Service Corp, traveling to the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Jordan and Russia.  Many lifelong memories and friendships developed from those travels.

For the past twenty five years, Bob and Jan spent their winters in Marco Island, Florida.  They became actively involved with the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, FL, volunteering in an after school program (K-2nd grade), tutored by high school students who earned credit towards their college education.  There are currently 400 children in the program and 64 former tutors in college. He was also active in the greater Naples Leadership Program and the Habitat for Humanity there.

Bob and Janice Ruth Ripley were married on May 31, 1958 in Hartford, CT.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include: a daughter, Karen (husband, Todd) Andregg, of Lawrence, a son, Keith (wife, Kathy), of Olathe, KS, a daughter-in-law, Kristina (husband, Tony) Rivotto, of Shawnee, KS, two brothers; Dick Lisbon, of Pittsboro, NC, David Lisbon, of Bonita Springs, FL and eight grandchildren (Nicole Andregg McWilliams, Travis Andregg, Zachary Andregg, Jonathan Lisbon, Olivia Lisbon, Nicholas Lisbon, Kailey Lisbon Rivotto and Samantha Rivotto).  He was preceded in death in 1988 by two sons; Kraig and Kevin Lisbon.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the G-A-P (Guadalupe After-School Program) or to Plymouth Congregational Church and sent in care of the mortuary.

33 Condolences

  1. Kristy Herr and Jerry Bartos on September 9, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Just a note to let you know that we’re thinking of you and also of all the fond memories over the years. Please keep in touch and let us know if you ever pass though Danville on I-74.

    Love,
    Kristy and Jerry



  2. Ruth & Si Ullman on September 9, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Words can not express how very sad we are that Bob has passed away–he fought his illness as a hero would and the support from Jan and family is unequalled. We will miss him more than words can say . Love to all Ruth & Si



  3. karen and wes blackwell on September 9, 2010 at 12:00 am

    What a wonderful man Bob was, and we are very sad to hear he passed away. He certainly fought the battle, and, with the help of Jan, won years that he would not have had, and he certainly made those years count! Our sympathy to Jan and to the family, Love, karen and wes



  4. Phil/Mary beuth on September 9, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Remarkable goodness came from Marco Island to Immokalee”s children, and everytime I was with Bob, he personified that
    goodness… a thought which will be with us forever.. What a lovely
    man !



  5. Barb and Chuck Krausee on September 9, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Blessings for Bob’s family. He leaves a hole in the world. Jan, we send a special hug to you.



  6. Ewout Rijk de Vries on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Thank you Bob for always being such an upbeat guy! Thank you for “teaching me tennis.” I miss our early morning talks in the gym.
    You will be missed!



  7. Ellen and John Buchanan on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    We are deeply saddened by the news. A man of courage, deep felt convictions and integrity.
    Jan please know you are in our hearts and prayers



  8. Jill Rhone on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    You and your family are in our prayers. On behalf of the Guadalupe Center Tutor Corps Program, we are so grateful for all that you have done for our program. You would be happy to hear that we just hired 33 more tutors and now have almost 60 tutors in the program. You have helped many Immokalee High School students graduate from high school and college. God Bless!



  9. Marion & Paula Waggener on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob fought the hard battle.We will miss him at Hideaway Beach. Love to Jan.



  10. Megan McCarthy and the Guadalupe Center Staff and Students on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    We are so sad to have lost such a great friend to the Guadalupe Center. Bob and Jan’s efforts to effect positive change for the children in Immokalee were inspirational and we will work hard to continue their work. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family Jan. Bob will certainly be missed and not soon forgotten.



  11. Megan McCarthy and the Guadalupe Center Staff and Students on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    We are so sad to have lost such a great friend to the Guadalupe Center. Bob and Jan’s efforts to effect positive change for the children in Immokalee were inspirational and we will work hard to continue their work. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family Jan. Bob will certainly be missed and not soon forgotten.



  12. Megan McCarthy and the Guadalupe Center Staff and Students on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    We are so sad to have lost such a great friend to the Guadalupe Center. Bob and Jan’s efforts to effect positive change for the children in Immokalee were inspirational and we will work hard to continue their work. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family Jan. Bob will certainly be missed and not soon forgotten.



  13. Bob Moore Family on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was really a great guy. We enjoyed many Monday night tennis games, even though he was a better player than the rest of us. Marna’s and my thoughts are with you and your family.

    Bob Moore



  14. Bob Moore Family on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was really a great guy. We enjoyed many Monday night tennis games, even though he was a better player than the rest of us. Marna’s and my thoughts are with you and your family.

    Bob Moore



  15. Segura Family on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was a great person. He will always be in our memory for the conversations we had with him. He will be truly be missed. Blessings for the Lisbon Family.



  16. Segura Family on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was a great person. He will always be in our memory for the conversations we had with him. He will be truly be missed. Blessings for the Lisbon Family.



  17. Jack and Rose Shamion on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Jan, Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of great loss. All who knew and loved Bob will find a void in their lives. We will miss him as a wonderful neighbor and fellow bridge player. All he did, he did to the max!!! Jack and Rose



  18. Nan & Mike Suffian on September 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    It was truly our great fortune to have known Bob and to appreciate all of his good works. Our sympathy goes to Jan and family.
    Sincerely, Nan & Mike Suffian



  19. Kay (McElwain) Kratzer on September 11, 2010 at 12:00 am


  20. Dianne and Allen Ryan on September 11, 2010 at 12:00 am

    We send our love and caring thoughts to Jan at this sad time. Bob was an amazing man-an inspiration to all of us for so many reasons. The world truly is a better place because he was in it. God bless Bob and his family.



  21. Dick and Barb Freeman on September 11, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was an extraordinary guy. His life demonstrated that one can be a most cpmpassionate and caring person and yet, be the strongest competitor at any of life’s sports and games that probably any of us have ever met.
    All of us were moved by his recent struggle with declining health, but also were moved by the deep commitment and love demonstrated daily by his life companion-Jan.



  22. Lou & Cathy Voticky on September 11, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Jan;

    Our deepest Condolences to you and your family at the passing of a very fine gentleman.
    He put up a great fight and carried himself with great dignity during his ordeal.

    Sincerely,

    Lou & Cathy



  23. Daniel Morris, MD on September 11, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Please accept my sincere sympathy; You do not see many, if any, obituaries in which someone gave so much of himself in retirement and volunteered in such a significant want. Those of us who met Robert, know that he made a difference.



  24. Jack & Barb Solverson on September 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Joan: We were saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. We hope it was peaceful after all he had been through. Our condolences to you and your family. We have found memories of seeing Bob, on his walks around Hideaway Circle, passing our house. If we were within shouting distance we would “call out”.
    Take care and God Bless. We hope to see you this season on Marco. We’ll be down for a while this fall by mid-October,
    Barb and Jack



  25. Scott Herr on September 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    I lived just down the street from Bob in the late 60s/early 70s as I was growing up and my parents grew close with Bob and Jan. Many good memories of those times.

    More recently Bob graciously agreed to be Santa (I mean his stand-in since Santa was very busy that day) for my two daughters. This was about 10 years ago. A couple of years ago when my daughter Jenna was about 15, Bob was visiting my parents while we were there for Christmas. Jenna heard his voice and made the connection to the voice she heard on the videotapes of Santa’s visit years ago!

    Jan and family, our thoughts are with you and please accept our condolences. We appreciate how you have touched our family in many ways.



  26. Kay & Don Camplese on September 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Jan and family,

    We are very saddened by Bob’s passing. We will miss him at Hideaway. We will miss his warm smile and his gentle ways and his drop shots! I am proud to have my name with his on the championship board. He was a champion in all that he did.

    Our thoughts are with you,
    Kay & Don



  27. Kay & Don Camplese on September 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Jan and family,

    We are very saddened by Bob’s passing. We will miss him at Hideaway. We will miss his warm smile and his gentle ways and his drop shots! I am proud to have my name with his on the championship board. He was a champion in all that he did.

    Our thoughts are with you,
    Kay & Don



  28. Kay & Don Camplese on September 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Jan and family,

    We are very saddened by Bob’s passing. We will miss him at Hideaway. We will miss his warm smile and his gentle ways and his drop shots! I am proud to have my name with his on the championship board. He was a champion in all that he did.

    Our thoughts are with you,
    Kay & Don



  29. melody calovich on September 13, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Our thoughts and prayers are with your family as you grieve at this time. He was a loving grandfather who will be profoundly missed. May the peace of our Lord comfort you all. Nicholas other family, The Calovichs.



  30. Barbara Oppenheim on September 14, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Jan and Family,
    You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Bob was so instrumental in the growth and success of the programs at the Guadalupe Center. He touched the lives of thousands of children and his involvement in our program created a brighter future for everyone of them. He will truly be missed by everyone at GCI. He was a wonderful man and a great friend to all of us.



  31. Joan and Jay Janssen on September 16, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Jan,

    Jay and I were so saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family during this most difficult time for you all. Bob was a true gentleman and his kindess and generosity of spirit will long be remembered by all who knew him.
    Please know that you are and will continue to be in our thoughts.
    Fondly,
    Jay and Joan Janssen



  32. Norma Kenworthy Wilcox on September 19, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Janice,
    Georgia just forwarded this in-depth description of Bob’s life that is so filled with his involvement with family,community,and sports. Thank you for being such an active partner with Bob in these activities, and caring for him during his dying process. When you feel the grieving feelings of loss remember all the people sending you thoughts of love and caring.
    Norma Wilcox



  33. Mariah Castro on September 28, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob Lisbon, was one of these angels who stood beside you throughout the years never asking for anything in return. He will be sadly missed, but his gestures of caring, goodwill, and kindness will be part of his spirit now as he goes forward in his new eternal life. Blessings for the Lisbon Family.



Leave a Condolence