Robert Joseph Werner

Robert Joseph Werner, age 89, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 17 2025. Robert was born on February 21 st , 1936 to Herman and Elizabeth Werner in Paris, Arkansas. He and his family moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas where he graduated from St. Anne's academy at the age of 17 in 1953. After graduation, he moved to Wichita, Kansas in search of work. He started working at MS News company and met the love of his life, Dorothy Kinsley, at a catholic dance social. They were married in August of 1954 and had their first child the following year. They had four additional children the last of which was born in 1965. They celebrated their 70 th wedding anniversary in August of 2024. Robert started working at Rector's Bookstore in downtown Wichita in 1957. He grew to love the bookselling business and, after managing Rector's for over a decade, he bought the store. He owned and managed Rector's until he retired in 1997. During his retirement he loved working in his large garden, coordinating his high school reunions, and creating a high school newsletter which he mailed out three times a year. Robert was predeceased by his parents; his wife Dorothy; his sisters Hermena Pinter and Mary Lutz; his brother John Werner; and his oldest child, Paul Werner. He is survived by his sister Betty Ward; his brother Gene (Earlene) Werner; his children Marcella O'Rourke, Greg Werner, Brian (Mary) Werner, and Carolyn (Mike) Ingersoll; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Rosary will be 10:00 am with Mass at 10:30 October 24, 2025 both at St Annes Catholic Church, 2801 S Seneca Wichita, Kansas. In lieu of flowers memorials to St Annes Catholic Church.