Robert Lynn Harper

Robert Lynn Harper was born on November 6, 1953 to Ralph Glen Harper and Doris Joanne Simons Harper in Eureka, Kansas. He passed away on April 19, 2021 in Lawrence, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant son, Timothy Robert Harper.

In 1978 he married Diane M. Young, they later divorced. To this union three children were born, Timothy Robert Harper, Nicole Diane Harper, and Michelle Lynn Harper.

On Aug. 8, 1992 he married Janice Lea Sinnard in Olathe, KS. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his two daughters, Nicole (Cote) Smith of Lawrence, Michelle (Scott) Durham of Eudora, KS; four grandchildren, Lauren Preston, Archer Smith, Lyla Smith, and Brecken Durham. Other survivors include his twin brother, Ronald G. Harper of Lawrence, KS; sister, Cheryl Stuve, Oklahoma City, OK; and two nephews, Christopher Stuve, Oklahoma City, OK, and Eric Stuve, Norman, OK.

Rob graduated from Eureka High School, Eureka, KS in 1971. He enjoyed sports, playing football, baseball, and running track. He attended Allen County Community College in Iola, KS where he played baseball and graduated with an Associates in Art Degree. He then attended Baker University in Baldwin City, KS where he played football and graduated with a Bachelors in Art History. Following graduation from Baker, he worked in Emporia, KS at Iowa Beef Processing for 11 years, and then went to St. Paul’s Seminary in Kansas City, MO where he completed his Masters of Divinity in 1989 and Specialized in Gerontology. He was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church and served churches in several locations in Kansas: Lansing/Fairmount; Columbus Five Star Parish; Wesley/University in Kansas City, KS; Mound City/ Blue Mound; Osborne/Alton; Easton/Grandview (KCK), and Southern Heights (Leavenworth). Health issues required him to take a health leave in 2011. He was especially honored to officiate at both of his daughter’s weddings, as well as his nephew, Chris’s wedding. He also officiated at his brother-in-law, Tom Stuve’s funeral service.

Rob enjoyed drawing as a pastime, and spent many hours drawing people, scenery, and objects. He was honored to be ask by the Alton city leaders to draw historical pictures for them in 2005. He left each of his grandchildren a special gift by drawing their baby picture. He especially enjoyed drawing pictures with his granddaughter, Lauren. He enjoyed babysitting his grandchildren, with “Archer Days” and “Lyla Days” being a highlight of his week. He enjoyed anytime Brecken would come by and visit. He also enjoyed fishing with Ron at the lake house and vacationing with Jan.

Memorial contributions may be made in Rob’s name to First United Methodist Church Art Café, and Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation—a foundation that helps those with life-threatening, chronic and rare-diseases get the medications and treatments that they need by assisting with the out-of-pocket costs. This foundation helped us to be able to receive much needed medication to treat Rob’s liver disease. Memorial may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Funeral services for Rob will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2021 at First United Methodist Church – West Campus (867 US-40, Lawrence, KS 66049). Masks and social distancing are required.

The family will greet friends following the service.