Bryce Earl Rohrbaugh

Bryce Earl Rohrbaugh, well- loved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on December 16, 2025, at the age of 86. Born on February 6, 1939 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Bryce was known for his dry sense of humor and patient attention to detail in everything that he did.

After World War II ended, Bryce and his sister, Yvonne “Corky” Rohrbaugh, attended boarding school in Bern, Switzerland, while his parents assisted with post war rebuilding in Berlin. He attended college at Kansas State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1962. He spent the majority of his career as a power plant design engineer for Black and Veatch.

His skills led him to a series of field assignments, including spending more than five years working in Bangkok, Thailand. In his engineering work, as in other facets of his life, Bryce was known to be thorough, methodical and unhurried.

On June 16, 1962, Bryce was united in marriage to Elizabeth Iola Peterson. Bryce’s first job at Aliss- Chalmers took the couple to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where their oldest child, Tonie, was born in 1964. After a few years, they returned to Kansas, settling in Merriam, where Mark (1967) and Mitchell (1973) joined the family. In 1982, Bryce’s work led the family to live in many exciting locations including Bangkok, Thailand; Orem, Utah; Poughkeepsie, New York; and Jackson, Michigan. They returned to the Kansas City area in 1992, settling in Olathe and Lenexa.

Bryce was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with Betsy and his three children, five grandchildren, Beth, Kevin, Nick, Benjamin, and James, and great granddaughter, Zoey. The grandchildren especially loved Grandpa Bryce’s dry sense of humor and gentle teasing. He will always be remembered by his children and grandchildren for his playful interactions, but also for the many skills he passed on to them.

Bryce enjoyed many hobbies, pursuits and activities throughout his life. He was an Eagle Scout, an Explorer Air Scout, a private pilot and an advanced certified scuba diver. He enjoyed photography, leatherwork, Ham radio, snow skiing, and playing bridge. He spent several seasons working a souvenir booth at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. Bryce loved adventure, travel, and family vacations. After the kids were grown, he and Betsy traveled the world, visiting many places including Ireland, Greece, and New Zealand. They also loved going on Caribbean cruises, especially when their grandchildren could join in.

Bryce and Betsy’s lives were deeply affected when Betsy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in her early 60’s. As the disease progressed, Bryce became Betsy’s faithful and persistent caregiver, eventually devoting all of his time to taking care of her, allowing her to remain in the family home until just a year before she passed.

On December 16, 2025, Bryce followed the love of his life, Betsy, into God’s eternal presence, almost immediately after Betsy’s passing, which had occurred three days earlier on December 13, 2025. Bryce’s cunning wit, dry humor, friendly presence and accepting nature will be deeply missed by his surviving family members, including his children Tonie Foster (Mike) of Warrensburg, Missouri; Mark (Lisa) Rohrbaugh of Lenexa, Kansas; and Mitchell Rohrbaugh (Ilona Bissmann) of Greenwood, Indiana; his five grandchildren Beth (Josh) Johnson, Kevin Foster, Nick (Mollie) Rohrbaugh, Benjamin Rohrbaugh, and James Foster; and great granddaughter, Zoey Rohrbaugh. Bryce’s legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To share a memory of Bryce, or leave a message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.