Robert Amedee "Bob" L’Ecuyer

Robert Amedee L'Ecuyer, 90, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of public service, family devotion, and scholarly pursuit that spanned nearly nine decades.

Born December 16, 1934, in Greenleaf, Kansas, Bob was the son of Hero Kermit Zeno "H.K." L'Ecuyer and Cletta Valley Shepherd L'Ecuyer. His early years were marked by frequent moves as his father pursued advanced education at Harvard Business School and teaching positions, taking the family from Kansas to Massachusetts, Ontario, Texas, and New Jersey before settling in Lawrence, Kansas.

Bob's intellectual curiosity emerged early. A voracious reader from age three, he completed high school at 16 and attended the University of Kansas, where he served as fraternity president and met his first wife, Barbara. After military basic training and service in the Army Reserves, he moved his family from Kansas to Tucson, Arizona. There, he served in the National Guard, worked in the tire business and returned to school, earning his law degree from the University of Arizona. That marked the start of a distinguished career combining law and politics.

For over four decades, Bob served as a behind-the-scenes force in Arizona politics, working with governors, congressmen, and senators from both parties. He notably served on staff to Congressman Bob Stump and worked with local political luminaries including Governor Sam Goddard, Burton Barr, Jane Hull, Bob Usdane, and Alfredo Gutierrez. His ability to bridge partisan divides and build coalitions earned him respect across the political spectrum.

Bob was married twice: first to Barbara, with whom he raised five children-Jeanine, Larry, Paul, Julie, and Anne-and later to Claudelle, his beloved companion in travel, church life, and genealogical research. Together with her children and loving extended family, they explored 49 states and multiple countries, building extensive family histories that became his passionate retirement pursuit.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bob found great meaning in genealogical work, believing it connected him to both ancestors and descendants. His meticulous research spanned centuries and continents, preserving family stories for future generations. He appreciated the influence of many faith traditions in the development of his spiritual life.

Robert Amedee L'Ecuyer is survived by his children, Jeanine L'Ecuyer (Mike Set), Larry L'Ecuyer, Julie Conway (Kerry), and Anne L'Ecuyer (Louise Godley), and stepchildren Victoria Walker (Grant) and Richard Bailey (Kim). His 64 grand, great, and great-great grandchildren gave him immense joy and pride. He is reunited in heaven with his wife, Claudelle Thompson Bailey L'Ecuyer, son Paul Amedee L'Ecuyer, his parents Cletta and Hero L'Ecuyer, stepmother Mildred L'Ecuyer, sister Sally Smith, brother David Nelson, and many more beloved ancestors.