Robert Robare

Robert "Bob" Francis Robare, 81, passed away on April 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at home in Derby, KS. Bob was born October 12, 1943, in Johnson City, NY to Vernon and Mina Robare. They moved to Ellenburg Center, NY where Bob was raised, helping with his paternal Grandfather's Dairy Farm and running his father's horse farm, until he graduated from Ellenburg High School in 1962. He then attended Tri-State College in Indiana where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering in 1965. He became a Design Engineer for McDonnell Aircraft and then General Dynamics in Rochester, NY. He was sent to General Dynamics in Fort Worth, TX, where he met and married his wife of 55 years, Carolyn "Sue" McKinney in 1969. In 1972 he became a Technical Instructor and Specialist on the Inertial Navigation System for the F1-11E Fighter Planes at Rockwell International. He chose to leave engineering to pursue his love of dairy farming, purchasing a farm in his hometown of Ellenburg, NY in 1973. They raised their 2 children, Michelle and Michael, on the farm until a tragic lightning storm struck their barn causing them to lose everything. Bob then had to pursue his Electrical Engineering expertise again, out of survival, getting a job back with Rockwell International. This move sent them overseas to Lakenheath Air Force Base in England in 1977, where they lived for 11 years. During their time in England, they were blessed with the opportunity to travel and see the world, experiencing Europe, an African Safari and a vacation in Thailand. Bob and his family were so fortunate to have made lifelong friends who remain in their lives to this day. In 1988 Rockwell moved Bob and his family back to the US. They were stationed in Clovis, NM at Cannon Air Force Base and then to Wichita, KS. Where he retired in 2005. In March of 2011 his daughter, Charlene "Kim" Hernandez found Bob after trying to locate him for 20+ years after finding out she had been adopted as a newborn. From the moment she contacted him, he and his family couldn't wait to meet her and welcome her and her family with loving arms. Little did they know she was the missing puzzle piece they never knew they needed. Bob grew up loving fast cars and all animals (A.K.A. Dr. Doolittle!) Anytime his family or friends were in need, whether it was car- related, helping with harvesting or fixing any household disasters, he was your man! He had a knack for creating something out of nothing to fix a problem (our own personal McGyver!) He seemed to have nine lives, living life on the edge getting himself in situations most people would not survive. He relished in telling those crazy stories to anyone he met, so proud of the mischief he always got into, unfortunately his nine lives came to an end. He will be deeply missed by his wife Sue, 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren plus family and friends across the US and the world. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Mina Robare and siblings Richard and Herbert Robare. Bob is survived by his wife, Sue Robare, children Kim Hernandez (Brett) of Bishop, GA; Michelle Wakefield (Bart) of Wichita, KS; and Michael Robare of Derby, KS. Grandchildren Kristina Pote (Jordan) of Goddard, KS; Kaleigh Cook (Chase) of Wichita, KS; Madison Lord (Keenan) of Danielsville, GA; Paige Poonthaisong of Dallas, TX; Chase and Ella Wakefield of Wichita, KS; Maci Hernandez of Bishop, GA; Kayden Robare of Wichita, KS, Great-Grandchildren Tenley and Beckett Pote, and Carter and Griffin Lord. He is also survived by his sister, Yvonne Hobbs (Tom) of Nichols, NY, sister-in-law Sandra Robare of Willsboro, NY, Cheryl McKinney of Wichita, KS and Debbie Rust (Jimmy) of Ft. Worth, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church Derby, KS on Friday, April 25th at 10:30am. There will be a livestream of the service at fpcderby.org. When the homepage of the church opens, there will be 3 lines at the top of the page. Click on these lines. This is the menu. Scroll to "WATCH" for the livestream. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church Derby, KS in Bob's memory. If you wish to send flowers please send directly to First Presbyterian Church Derby, KS. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Robare, please visit our floral store.