Robert Cash

On January 2, 2025, the irreplaceable and much loved Robert "Bob" Cash of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer, just shy of his 80th birthday.

Bob was the cherished husband to Lynn Cash for almost 55 years, beloved father to David Cash and Erika Uram, devoted "Papa" to granddaughters Olivia and Anna Uram, and dear brother to the late Charles Cash Jr. (husband of Cathy). He will be greatly missed.

Born January 9, 1945 in Clarinda, Iowa to parents, Elsie (Anderson) and Charles Cash Sr., he spent most of his childhood in Kansas City, where he was called Bobby by friends and family. There, too, he developed a sense of humor that kept him laughing throughout his life.

Some of his fondest memories of his youth were of summers spent with his many cousins on his grandparents' farm in Minnesota. Among the cousins, there was a lot of hard work and laughter, along with a fair amount of pranks and mischief making that would later cause Bob to quip to his children that there was "nothing you'll do that I haven't already done...and probably stupider."

After graduating from North Kansas City High School, Bob joined the Army as a medic. He was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco. The Bay Area was his home for several formative years, when he both met his bride and learned the legal document preparation trade he would turn into a successful business.

Bob and Lynn were introduced by mutual friends living in a nearby apartment complex when Bob asked to be set up with "one of the blondes." Lynn turned out to be his perfect match. A whirlwind romance ensued, with the pair meeting in May 1969, becoming engaged in August, and marrying in February of 1970.

Although the couple married in San Francisco, they weathered a long-distance romance for several months after Bob moved back to Kansas City to begin his company, Reproduction Systems, Inc (RSI). Once married, Lynn joined him in Kansas City to begin their life together.

Through lots of dedication and hard work, Bob grew his company from a mobile operation, which was basically a copier in the back of a station wagon, into a successful enterprise with multiple nationwide offices supporting various legal clients. He ran his company for over 45 years. Very much a family business, Bob at times employed his brother, children, cousins, and spouses. Through his example, taught his children to work hard and persevere.

Bob was thrilled when son David came along in 1978 after trying for a couple of years to adopt. He told the adoption agency that he wanted to be the first one called when they were selected for baby #2, Erika. He simply loved being a dad.

Despite the long hours and frequent travel, he made the most of his time at home with his family. He was actively engaged in their lives, helped with homework, and nursed them while they were sick. He made a mouth-watering brisket, loved turning out a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, and he gave the best hugs.

The family traveled a lot, making twice-annual trips to Lake Tahoe and trips to Disney World, Hawaii, as well as visiting farther flung locales like Europe and the Cayman Islands.

A lifelong lover of Coca-Cola with lots of ice, Bob started every morning with a visit to Town Topic, which was just a couple blocks from his downtown office and has the "good ice." With breakfast in the morning and subsequent trips from the office to get Coke refills throughout the day, he became such a regular and beloved customer.

On a trip to France, where ice isn't the norm, Bob's Coke-and-ice habit was dealt a blow that would become a favorite story for him to retell. After ordering a Coke with ice, Bob was surprised when the waiter brought his Coke with a single ice cube. The language barrier made it difficult for him to express his desire for a cup of ice to add to his Coke. The server misunderstood and returned with an empty glass. Bob was surely glad to return to his beloved Town Topic, where his regular was handed to him without having to ask!

Bob's other great interest and all-time favorite hobby was poker. His kids have fond memories of their dad teaching them poker on trips to Lake Tahoe. He was a regular at several weekly games with different groups, and loved watching televised tournaments. David once called him at a game and said, "Dad, you have to come home! Erika broke her arm." Thinking it was a joke, Bob replied to his son, "Stop joking. I'm winning!" An earnest "no, really, Dad" later, and he was out the door.

Bob loved being "Papa" to his granddaughters and wrapping them in his signature hugs. He was always interested in knowing what was going on in their lives, and he and Lynn traveled frequently to Phoenix to spend as much time with them as possible. He also liked to tease the girls that there was "too much pink!" To his great amusement one Christmas, the girls giggled as he opened their gift of pink socks, a pink hat, and a pink stuffed animal. Touché, Papa.

Bob was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His kindness, sarcastic humor, calm demeanor, quick wit, and hugs will be remembered always.

Celebration of Life service to be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 1-4pm at the North Kansas City Parks & Rec Center, 1201 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City, MO 64116. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob's memory to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care. https://kchospice.org/donate/