Robert Georgeson

Robert K. (Bob)  Georgeson

Bob Georgeson was born October 11, 1930 in Lenora, Kansas, the son of Carl Ewing Georgeson and Etta Louise Georgeson. He graduated from Lenora Rural High School in 1948.
 
Bob attended Grinnell College in Iowa for two years and then transferred to Washburn University in Topeka to pursue a degree in business. He was drafted into the 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean Conflict in 1951. Bob entered as a private and left Korea just days before the truce as a Sergeant 1st Class. Upon his return to Kansas in 1953, he enrolled at Washburn University and graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  Bob gained early experience in the banking world at Merchants National Bank in Topeka where he worked while in college. He later earned a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1968.
 
The day after his graduation from Washburn, Bob accepted a position in management at the Commerce Acceptance Company.  Along with his new bride, Greta, he moved to Lawrence in 1954 to begin a career that would span almost five decades as a third generation banker.  In 1961, Bob’s banking career took him to First National Bank, which later became Mercantile Bank and now operates as U.S. Bank in downtown Lawrence. Bob served in numerous roles in his thirty-two years at First National including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before leaving in 1993 to become President and C.E.O. of Douglas County Bank in Lawrence.  Bob retired from banking in 2001.
 
Bob earned recognition in his banking career, serving in many roles for the Kansas Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association. He served as chair of many committees and teams while affiliated with these associations and he also testified on behalf of the A.B.A. before the Senate Banking Committee. He is the author of numerous articles in regional and national banking publications and has served as lecturer and keynote speaker at K.B.A. meetings, A.B.A. meetings and at the Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University.

Bob believed that people need to give back to their communities…and he did. Bob was a leader in the growth of the community of Lawrence and was an example of the impact that one’s volunteer efforts can make in people’s lives. He left his fingerprint on the community through his volunteer service.  Some of the boards and foundations who benefited from his service and friendship include:
• DCCCA (Douglas County Citizens Committee on Alcoholism)
• Lawrence Schools Foundation
• Douglas County Community Foundation
• O’Connell Youth Ranch
• Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association
• Cottonwood, Inc.
• KANU (Kansas Public Radio)
• Lawrence Housing Authority
• Horizons 2020
• Lawrence Chamber of Commerce

Bob was the recipient of numerous awards for his involvement in Douglas County over the years, including:
• Baker University Outstanding Leadership in Business Award
• Cottonwood Lifetime Achievement Award
• Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary Foundation
• Lawrence Chamber Citizen of the Years Award
• Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award

Bob was a member of St. John’s Evangelist Church and past member of the Lawrence Jaycees, the Lawrence Cosmopolitan Club, and the Lawrence Rotary Club.

Bob was a mentor to many, a beloved storyteller, and the author of “Bobisms” that had many life applications. His interests included Kansas history, cheering on the Jayhawks, discovering the less traveled roads of Kansas and, of course, spending time with family and friends.  His wisdom, wit and whistling will be sorely missed.

Bob Georgeson was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife of forty-five years, Greta, who died in 1999.  Survivors include his brother, Richard Georgeson, of Aurora, CO; his brother, Carl Louis Georgeson, of Chatham, NJ;  his sons, Chris Georgeson and Curt Georgeson, of Lawrence; his daughter, Karen Georgeson, of Montrose, CO; and his five  grandchildren, Chelsie James and husband Keith, Jon Georgeson, Michael Georgeson, Regina Georgeson and Joey Georgeson, all of Topeka, KS and Lawrence, KS.

Bob died December 8, 2010 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence, KS. 

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with inurnment to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.

The family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, December 17, 2010 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials to the Douglas County Community Foundation or Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, in care of the mortuary.
 

24 Condolences

  1. Kendra Baldt on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am


  2. Kent Roenbaugh on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Curt and Family : Very sorry to hear about your Dad. What a great guy and a good friend for many years.



  3. Bob Moore Family on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was a great friend of the Moore Family, including my dad, my brothers, my kids, and especially me. I don’t anyone who knew any more people in Douglas County than Bob. We have many wonderful memories of Bob. My thoughts are with your family.

    Sincerely,

    Bob Moore



  4. Bob Moore Family on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was a great friend of the Moore Family, including my dad, my brothers, my kids, and especially me. I don’t anyone who knew any more people in Douglas County than Bob. We have many wonderful memories of Bob. My thoughts are with your family.

    Sincerely,

    Bob Moore



  5. Michele Georgeson on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    My thoughts are with you and my memories of Bob and Greta make me smile. They inspired me to be a better person as well as Etta Lou. Blessed to have known them and be part of their family. Love to you for your tragic loss. Remember all the great times and hold them close to your heart.



  6. Monica Holley on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Karen is a special friend here in Colorado and we grieve with her in the loss of her father. He sounds like someone I would have been proud to know!



  7. Lillian Osthoff on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dearest Karen, Chris, Curt & family,
    I am so sorry to hear about Bob. I will always have fond memories of all of us at the Kansas farm. And more recently when we were all in Lawrence at the BarBQ at your Mom and Dad’s house.
    With deepest sympathy,
    Lillian



  8. Cindy Georgeson-Marks on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    My thoughts are with all of you at this time. I have wonderful memories of Uncle Bob and his beautiful family…taking us boating and fishing, even though i hated to see the fish get hurt by the hook…and Uncle Bob working hard to win me a stuffed animal at the faire so i would be happy…that was Uncle Bob…taking care of everyone…you will be missed, but i am at peace knowing you are now with Greta and the rest of the family who left us here on earth. Peace be with you Uncle Bob and i know we will all meet again someday…Love, Cindy



  9. Bob Roenbaugh on December 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was a Fraternity Brother, Kappa Sigma and enjoyed the membership so much, Through it ,is how we met, long story will share with you later,



  10. Louis (Razz)) Wilson on December 11, 2010 at 12:00 am

    May Bob rest in peace. He was truly a pillar of the community and the family. Bob was one of my earliest childhood friends and we grew together thru High School and beyond. We maintained correspondence over the years and it was always an uplifting experience to hear from him. Bob and all of his family have left a lasting legacy. Peace be to all.



  11. Gregory Galloway (USAF, Ret) on December 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    To the Georgeson Family, Please except our deepest condolences in your time of bereavement. My God continue to bless and keep you.
    Greg & Maria Galloway.



  12. Daniel M. Lambert on December 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    To Bob’s family,
    This community owes you a great deal for sharing with it Bob’s deep caring and commitment; he set the gold standard for giving one’s self to worthwhile causes. It was a privilege to sit at his feet and learn from a master.
    His gentle imprint will help define for many years everything that is good about Lawrence. He was and will remain a blessing to us all.



  13. Daniel M. Lambert on December 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    To Bob’s family,
    This community owes you a great deal for sharing with it Bob’s caring and commitment; he set the gold standard for all of us.

    It was a privilege to sit at the feet of a master and learn about selfless sevice to others. His gentle imprint will help define Lawrence for many years to come.

    God bless each of you.



  14. Shawn and Crystal Osthoff on December 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Uncle Bob and Aunt Greta were truly an inspiration to me over the years for the committment to their family community and each other. Uncle Bob will be missed and I am thankful to have known him and will treasure the memories of Uncle Bob and Aunt Greta. Our thoughts and prayers are you.



  15. Bart, Sherry, & Girls on December 13, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Chris, Karen, Curt & Family Members,
    We wish to extend all our sympothy. Uncle Bob & Aunt Greta are legends to our family. May they be re-united in the eternal kingdom. We’ll dearly miss Uncle Bob’s family knowledge.



  16. Bart, Sherry, & Girls on December 13, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Chris, Karen, Curt & Family Members,
    We wish to extend all our sympothy. Uncle Bob & Aunt Greta are legends to our family. May they be re-united in the eternal kingdom. We’ll dearly miss Uncle Bob’s family knowledge.



  17. Bill and Esperanza Martin on December 17, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Bob was one of the finest men we ever knew. The world won’t be the same without him. We’re so sorry for your loss.



  18. John Jelovic on December 17, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Curt, Chris and Karen, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father. He was a great man and I always looked forward to seeing and talking with him. I know that the last several months have been tough on all of you and especially him. But be assured that he is now in a better place.



  19. Karla & Don Severin on December 18, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Dear Chris, Karen, Curt,& family,
    May God grant you strength to deal with your loss and give you peace. May all your good memories and our thoughts & prayers comfort you. Bob will be missed.



  20. Audrey Zook on December 18, 2010 at 12:00 am

    To Chris, Karen & Curt: our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I have such wonderful memories of Bob, how you could always tell when he was coming up the walk by his whistle…his caring and support were a golden light in my life. Take care.



  21. Christine A. Winters on December 19, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Chris, Karen, & Curt.
    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Back in the late sixties, I was fresh out of high school and so very fortunate to have him as my first boss and mentor at First National Bank for five years. He was always kind and helpful to everyone and a great role model.
    May God wrap his loving arms around all of you as you grieve his loss.



  22. Christine A. Winters on December 19, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Chris, Karen, & Curt.
    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Back in the late sixties, I was fresh out of high school and so very fortunate to have him as my first boss and mentor at First National Bank for five years. He was always kind and helpful to everyone and a great role model.
    May God wrap his loving arms around all of you as you grieve his loss.



  23. Diane Catron on December 31, 2010 at 12:00 am

    I just learned of Bob’s passing and wish I had kept in better contact lately. I got to know Bob and Greta while Bob served on the KBA Federal Affairs Committee. Both Bob and Greta were wonderful people and it was my privilege to have known them. My prayers for all the family. I too have lost a good friend.



  24. jane galvin on January 20, 2019 at 12:50 pm

    Carl

    sorry to learn of your loss of your brother — looks like he led a full and happy life
    for which his family should be very proud

    Jane, Paul, Paul and John galvin and spouses



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