Robert T. Stephan

Robert T. Stephan
January 16, 1933 - January 3, 2023
Overland Park, Kansas - Robert T. Stephan, 89, Overland Park, and the former Attorney General of the State of Kansas passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10 at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park, Kansas with a visitation immediately preceding the service from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Bob was born on January 16, 1933, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Taft and Julia (Stevens) Stephan. He attended the University of Kansas and graduated from Washburn University in Topeka with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and his Juris Doctorate. He entered private law practice in Wichita, was appointed a Municipal Court Judge and then served as a District Court Judge in Sedgwick County for 13 years. In 1978, Bob was elected Kansas Attorney General and served the State of Kansas for 16 years (four terms), the longest serving Attorney General in state history.
During his service as the state's chief law enforcement officer, Bob championed the right of crime victims to be present at court proceedings and heard throughout the criminal justice process with the passage of a Victims' Bill of Rights and a Kansas Constitutional Amendment for Victims of Crime. He fought for passage of and enforced laws protecting Kansas consumers and battled over the state's right to water from interstate rivers, including personally arguing a water rights case before the Supreme Court of the United States. These were just a few of the myriad legal issues Bob tackled. He worked tirelessly to serve Kansans and ensure fair treatment and justice for all.
To those who knew him, Bob was larger than life – both in his personality and his passion for living. He never met a stranger and genuinely cared about people. He served as a mentor to many young professionals and encouraged joyful participation in serving others. Those who worked for him would tell you he made you feel like family and gave them a sense of justice and purpose in their work. Words used to describe him include kind, generous, integrity, warmth, personality, conviction and, most importantly, great sense of humor. His personal battles with his own health issues led him to be a compassionate and active advocate who provided comfort and encouragement to those suffering from cancer and other illnesses.
Bob served as President of the National Association of Attorneys General and was awarded many honors during his lifetime. Among them he was named by Adweek magazine as one of the 10 most feared Attorneys General in the U.S. for consumer advocacy, he received the Allied Professional Award from the National Organization for Victim Assistance, the President's Citation from the National Association of Attorneys General, the Criminal Justice Professional of the Year Award from the Wichita Crime Commission, Kansas Special Olympics Leadership Award, Distinguished Service Award from Washburn University, the Fred Ellsworth Medallion (the University of Kansas Alumni Association's highest honor for service to the University), the Freedom Award from the Kansas Press Association, the Eisenhower Liberation Award from the Kansas Holocaust Commission and Kansas Trial Judge of the Year.
Bob was a member of Church of the Ascension, board member and volunteer for Johnson County Developmental Supports, member of the Rotary Club of Overland Park, Special Olympics of Kansas, Society of Attorneys General Emeritus, the Kansas Organization of Victim Assistance, the Kansas Peace Officers Association, Sigma Chi Alumni Association, University of Kansas Alumni Association Board of Directors and many other fine organizations.
Bob is survived by his wife of 34 years, Marilynn, and his daughters Lisa (Willie) Scott and Dana (John) Galbraith; his step-children Keith (Kim) Sheridan, Kim (John) Ballard, and Connie Casdia; nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. He is also survived by his brother Don (Lynn) Stephan and his sister Jeannette George and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Frank George.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Johnson County Developmental Supports and the Kansas Children's Service League.