Robert "Bob" W. Honse

Robert “Bob” W. Honse, age 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 in West Palm Beach, FL. He was born August 5th, 1943, in Beaver, PA to M. Wayne & Laura Honse of Uniontown, PA.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1966, he was Commissioned Ensign in the United States Navy serving from 1966 to 1970 as a Lieutenant Engineering Officer, Executive Officer and Interim Commanding Officer. He was awarded two Navy Commendation Medals and the Bronze Star Medal.

Bob married Eileen Mary Kennedy in 1967 in San Francisco, CA and they were married until her passing in 2003. They have two daughters, Mary Dodd (Chad) and Christy Allen (Barry) and grandchildren Caitlin Dodd, Alexandra Dodd, Jack Allen, Avery Noel Allen and Kennedy Grace Allen. In September 2007 Bob married Emily Sinnard in Lawrence, KS.

Bob’s career spanned over 32 years working his way up from a process engineer and shift supervisor at Farmers Chemical Association to CFCA Plant Manager to General Manager Farmland Phosphate Manufacturing to VP and GM Fertilizer/Ag Chemicals to EVP Agricultural Operations to GVP Ag Input Business to COO and eventually CEO of Farmland Industries leading a global team of 16,000 employees and representing over 600,000 agricultural producers as North America’s largest agricultural cooperative.

Upon his retirement in 2002, Bob dedicated his life to family and his passion for education, healthcare and the Church. In 2005 he graduated from the Kansas School of Ministry assigned to Saint Margaret's Church, Lawrence, Kansas and served as an Ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church until retirement in 2015. He served on numerous boards including the University of Kansas Hospital Board (Chairman 2008-2015), University of Kansas International Center for Ethics in Business, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Board of Trustees, Baker University Board of Trustees earning an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration in 2006. Early in his career he served on other boards including President of the Lawrence Art Center Board, President of the Junior Achievement Board of Lawrence, member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and senior member of the church board at Trinity Episcopal in Lawrence.

A deeply spiritual man who shared God’s love with others Bob was an inspiration to all who knew him and was loved and admired by many. The impact of Bob’s life will be felt for years to come. If he was not busy on one of his many Boards or traveling the world with his wife Emily, you could catch him poolside at his condo carrying on lively conversations with his neighbors, or reading a good book, always one fiction and one historical. Such a devout and disciplined man he was.

Bob’s legacy will live on forever through the many stories he shared and the memories of those who had the opportunity to know him. He would always challenge those around him to be the best version of themselves. He will be remembered for his quick wit and ability to give everyone a nickname that perfectly captured the person. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Eileen; and granddaughters Avery Noel Allen and Kennedy Grace Allen.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife Emily; his sister Sue Ann Chojnacki (Walter); daughters, Mary Dodd (Chad) and Christy Allen (Barry); grandchildren Caitlin Dodd, Alexandra Dodd, Jack Allen; stepchildren Joshua Sinnard, Nicholas Sinnard, Kate Sinnard; and step-grandchildren Alexis Benimon, Max Sustaita, Jonathan Roth.

There is so much more that should be said, but in the end, what he did was make our world brighter. We love and miss you, Bob!

A celebration of life service will be held June 3rd, 2025 at 2:00PM at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel in Overland Park, KS. A reception will follow in the funeral home following the private family inurnment.  

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church West Palm Beach, FL or the University of Kansas Hospital Kansas City, KS.