Bob Ross

Glenn Robert "Bob" Ross, 85, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

He was born January 21, 1940 in St. Joseph to Thomas and Mildred (Breeden) Ross. He was a proud graduate of Lafayette High School, where later he was presented with the Alumni of the Year Award. He went on to attend St. Joseph Junior College, where he began his collegiate track career, then earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Education and Industrial Arts from Northwest Missouri State University, where he also ran track.

On May 26, 1967, Bob married Marla Joyce Voorhes, the beginning of a 58-year adventure full of love, sports, and family.

Bob began teaching industrial arts and coaching at Central and then Benton High Schools, while proudly serving his country in the Missouri Air National Guard. He left the teaching profession and went to Arizona to work for Hillyard Company refinishing gym floors. In 1973, he and Marla moved back to St. Joseph, as he went active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a recruiter for the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph. After retirement from the military after 27 years, he returned to the SJSD to teach industrial arts at Benton. Bob had always owned a lawn service, which included voluntarily mowing the area around the Pony Express statue downtown and helping in upkeep of Mount Mora Cemetery. These efforts enriched his love of history, especially from the Civil War-era.

Bob also gave back to his community as a member of the Moila Shrine Temple, Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Missouri, the National Rifle Association, and serving on the boards of the American Red Cross, where he won the Clara Barton Award, the Patee House Museum, and the Second Harvest Community Food Bank. One of his proudest civic achievements was carrying the 1996 Olympic torch on the torch run through St. Joseph.

Sports also were an integral part of Bob's life. He loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events and dance recitals and due to his lifelong friendship with Bill Snyder, he and his wife were honorary members of the K-State Alumni group and made frequent trips to Manhattan to cheer on the Wildcats.

Bob's outgoing personality and love of adventure also included trips to Branson and Disney World, which was his "favorite place in the world."

Bob leaves a legacy for his family and friends of achievement, service to country and community, and most of all, what it takes to be a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and parents-in-law, Leo Voorhes and Helen and Dale Jarvis.

Survivors include his wife, Marla; children, Melanie Rose and Kyle Ross (Becky); grandchildren, Dallas Ross, Tommy Ross, Brandon Rose, McKenna Stafford (Jake), Tori Pope (Colten), Tara Knipp (Tyler), and Bryson Rose; great-grandchildren, Myles, Tatum and Theo; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Kitty and Stan Weston, and David and Gloria Voorhes.

Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Monday, October 20, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Sunday, October 19, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Patee House Museum. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.