Robert W. "Bob" Loyd

Robert W. (Bob) Loyd passed away on Oct. 30, 2021 at home surrounded by family. Mass will be at 11:00 AM Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 at the Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, KS. No flowers please. Memorial contributions to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of KC or Musical Theatre Heritage.

Bob was born on April 22, 1936 in Ottawa, Kansas, the only child of Harry T. and Mary Gladys Loyd. He attended Ottawa schools, graduating with the famous (infamous) class of 1954. He was honored to be named to the Ottawa High School Wall of Honor in 2004. He attended the University of Kansas, receiving his BA in 1958 and law degree in 1962. He holds the James Green Medallion recognizing his commitment to the law school.

Upon graduating from law school, Bob began a trust banking career working with three bank trust departments in the greater Kansas City area. During this time he was President of the Kansas Bankers Trust Division, Chairman of the Missouri Bankers Trust Committee and founder of the MoKan Trust Conference. After his career in banking, he established his law practice until his retirement in 2019 as Of Counsel with the Elder Law and Disability Law Firm. He was a long time member of the Estate Planning Society, a Silver Fellow of the Kansas Bar and Johnson County Bar Foundation.

Throughout his life Bob was active in many civic and charitable organizations which led to him being awarded the Senior Volunteer Award in 2004. He started with the Junior Chamber of Commerce where he had the opportunity to co-found Big Brothers in Kansas City and become the very first big brother in 1966. He continued with the organization serving as President, Chairman of the Board and Trustee of the Endowment Fund. During his 20’s and 30’s he was also a very active member of the Republican Party with the thought of a political career at one point. He was an active member of Visitation Parish and was on its school board. He worked with the Heart of America United Way, acting as chairman of the Commerce and Industry Division in 1973. He continued his volunteerism over the next several decades. As Chairman of the Board of John Knox Village he helped charter the John Knox Village Foundation and to raise funds to build a nursing facility featuring one of the area’s first Alzheimer’s wing. Bob was an Ambassador of the American Royal Association, a member of the Society of Fellows for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a national committee member for the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and a member of the Capital Campaign Committee for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

He provided funding and many of the artifacts for the Train Room in the Ottawa Kansas Old Depot Museum. Over the past few decades Bob was active in the ALS-Keith Worthington Chapter for which he received the George Brett Commitment Award for services to that organization. He was also active in the Kansas City Autism School, Midwest Innocence Project, FBI Citizen’s Academy, President of the Leawood South Home Owners Association, and Musical Theatre Heritage where he served as President.

Bob also loved to travel. He golfed and traveled throughout the United States, Ireland, and England as well as Western Europe, Africa and South America. He attended the Masters twice and always looked forward to his fishing trips in Alaska and Canada. A special highlight was going to the North Pole. Another favorite were the theatre trips to New York and London.

Last, and most importantly, is his family. He is preceded in death by his three wives: Pat in 1971, Jackie in 2009, and Jo in 2020. He is survived by his daughters, Theresa Leaming and Angela Loyd (Joe); four grandchildren: Suzette Howell (Curt), Vincent Leaming (Jill), Aaron Leaming, Sarah Leaming and their families; nephew Mike Loyd and family; four step children: Chris Thayer (Sue), Tim Thayer (Chandler), Mike Thayer, Amy Brosseit (Mike) and their families; dozens of friends who he mentored or called him “Dad;” hundreds of friends, coworkers, and associates; and untold thousands who have benefited from his generosity. He will be greatly missed and always remembered.