Harold "Hal" E. Rouse Jr.

Hal was welcomed to Heaven on May 7, 2022, to celebrate Mother’s Day with his beloved wife Cherie and son Chuck. He was a loving part of the community, connection and compassionate care at Prairie Elder Care Farmstead East for the last 20 months of his life. Julianne and Becky were at his side when he transitioned. 

Anyone who knew Hal would say he was the sweetest man alive. In talking with him, you would come to find out he was a godly man who loved his family and all others before himself. He served with kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, but most of all love. By watching him, you would learn that he wanted to mentor and bring out the best in everyone around him. He always gave others the benefit of the doubt, and did not accuse. He felt God’s presence every day and tried to reflect that presence to anyone who needed to feel it. Hal strived to live the scout oath and law every day, and to do a good turn daily. Hal was the husband, father, son, grandfather, and great-grandfather many strive to be, albeit impossible for him to admit given his humbleness. He was an only child but had a very extended family of cousins, aunts, and uncles that were always a part of his life and celebrations. 

Hal attended Bristol Elementary School in Independence, Missouri. He filled his days playing with his dog Pal, and his horse Wendy, along with Scout activities. As a teenager, Hal was a member of Bristol Teen Town where he made many lifelong friends. He graduated high school from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1949. At Northeast he enjoyed debate, public speaking, Literary Society, and acting. Hal attended Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas and was an active Zeta Chi. He continued to excel in Debate, Forensics, and choir. After graduating, he entered Annapolis Officer Candidate School as Lieutenant Jr Grade. He served our country during the Korean conflict, as a Communications Officer. He received his MBA from the University of Missouri.  

Hal married Cherie Anne Amet on September 3, 1955, at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, Missouri, while on leave from the Navy. He took her on an 18-month honeymoon to Hawaii, while he finished out his time as Lieutenant in the US Navy. Hal and Cherie were married for 62 years, before her death. 

Hal started his career at a small typewriter company that had potential. That blossomed into a 34-year career at IBM Corporation. He held a variety of positions including CE, SE, and Instructor for the IBM AS400 computer. He was a gifted teacher. 

His daughter, Julianne was born in 1958, followed by his son Charles (Chuck) Edwin in 1961. He was a very nurturing father, always volunteering with organizations that they were involved in, just as his own parents had helped with Bristol Teen Town. Hal would later support his grandsons in all their activities from caregiving to soccer to scouting. Hal received the Kindest Kansas Citian award after being nominated by a scout that he mentored. 

Hal became an Eagle Scout in 1947, and mentored his son and several grandsons to the Eagle Rank, as well as many other scouters in Troop 284. Hal would say he had a duty to serve his troop and the BSA by visiting Bartle Scout Reservation every single year that he could. Scouting was one of his many passions. He is Sachem Sizzling Firewood in the tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was often the oldest scouter at Bartle Scout Reservation during a summer session. He also attended camp as a youth when it was called Camp Osceola.  

Hal was very active at Christ Church as Lay Reader for over 35 years, a former vestry member, Bethel Bible teacher, and Liturgical Assistant. He loved the little children serving in the chapel service on Sundays, church school, or summer bible school. He also enjoyed singing in the choir and serving on various committees. He helped collaborate on the written history of Christ Church Anglican (Christ Episcopal Church) in Overland Park for various occasions, having been a member for over 50 years. Hal was presented with the St. George Award of the Anglican Church in 2012 to recognize distinguished service in the spiritual, physical, mental, and moral development of youth through service to the Church. 

Hal is welcomed by his wife Cherie Amet Rouse (2018) and his son Charles (Chuck) Edwin Rouse II (2020) and all the other saints into our heavenly kingdom. He is survived by his daughter Julianne Rouse McReynolds (Rodger), daughter-in-law Becky Parsell Rouse, his 6 grandsons and great-granddaughter, Eric Brandon Rouse (Rikki), their daughter, Carlynn Michele, Cole Edwin Rouse, Robert Weldon McReynolds (family friend Taylor), Daniel Edwin McReynolds (Aubrey), Chuck Leonard Parsell, and Eric Wayne Parsell. He leaves innumerable cousins and extended family. To Hal, once you were in the family, you were “family” no matter the biological relationships. 

A Committal Service with Full Military Honors will take place at 9:00am on Saturday, May 14th at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. To celebrate Hal’s life there will be a Celebration of Life at 10:30am at Christ Church Anglican, 5500 West 91st Street, Overland Park, KS 66207. A visitation and cookie reception will follow the service. The service will also be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person. Please visit https://vimeo.com/event/2109069 to view his service. 

Donations can be made in Hal’s memory to the Endowed Rouse Family Bartle Camp Staff Scholarship Fund in care of Heart of America Council,10210 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Please make checks payable to Heart of America Council with “Endowed Rouse Family Scholarship Fund” in the memo line.