Robert A. DeCoursey

Robert A. DeCoursey died peacefully at his home in Prairie Village, Kansas on December 2, 2018. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Visitation Catholic Church from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m.

Bob was born in Kansas City, Kansas, the third of six sons of Vincent and Helen DeCoursey. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Margret Susan and two children Sarah Kumari and her husband John Griggs and their three children Kiran, Quinlan and Declan and his daughter Julia Christine DeCoursey. He is also survived by four brothers: Vincent William and his wife Mary Ellen; Thomas and his wife Joy; Stephen; and John and his wife Joan. His parents and a younger brother David predeceased him.

Bob lived in Kansas City, Kansas until the 7th grade when his family moved to Mission Hills, Kansas. He attended Rockhurst High School where he graduated in 1963. He attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated with a major in History in the class of 1967, the year in which Notre Dame won the National Championship in football. Bob made sure many knew that fact as he’d often introduce himself as “Bob Decoursey, 1967 Notre Dame National Championship year.”

After Notre Dame, Bob joined the Peace Corps and served in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) an island nation off the South coast of India. While in the Peace Corps he had the opportunity to travel in Europe, the Middle East and throughout South Asia. After completing his service in the Peace Corps, he continued to travel throughout East Asia. Bob loved to travel, meet new people and learn about other cultures. He also enjoyed sampling the local cuisine and after returning, often made those dishes at home, much to the delight of his family.

When he returned from the Peace Corps he met the love of his life, Susan. They were married in 1971. He attended the University of Kansas Law School and graduated in 1973. After graduation he began his legal career working in the Wyandotte County Kansas District Attorney’s office. There, he met hundreds of attorneys and judges who became his friends. A few years later Bob opened his own law practice with the late Willard Haynes and later with several other attorneys including his brother Tom. He continued practicing until six weeks before he died.

While at Notre Dame, Bob played on the Irish hockey team which was a club sport at the time. He loved Notre Dame and followed the football team and all other sports religiously, even the women’s basketball team. Bob was famous for his sense of humor which let others know just how much he enjoyed making them laugh and smile.

Behind that humor and dry sarcastic wit was a big and caring heart. One could catch a glimpse of his softer side during the holidays, at the annual Christmas Eve performance of a Christmas Carol, while working with his clients and most especially when watching his grandchildren, who he loved so dearly, compete in any number of sports, perform in school programs or simply enjoying their gift of life.

Bob had an amazing impact on all who knew him and will be deeply missed by all his friends and loved ones.