Robert W. Hemenway

Robert W. Hemenway, 86, of Kansas City, MO, passed away, Sunday, January 5, 2014. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, January 11th, 11:00 a.m., at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes, Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, Harvesters, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

Bob was born February 28, 1927 in Lacrosse, WI, son of Clarence S. Hemenway and Ethel M. Hemenway. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Summit Masonic Lodge 263, Scottish Rite, Ararat Shrine, American legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Contract Bridge League. Bob was a labor activist and a member of Pipefitters LU#533 for over 60 years. He worked many years for US Engineering Co. and retired from A D Jacobson Mechanical Contractors where he in 1982-1983 received the award for best Mechanical installation in Kansas City. Bob went to school on the GI Bill at Northwestern University, Utilities Engineering in Illinois. He served in WWII with the US Navy from 1944 to 1947 on Guam, Tinian and the Philippines with Combat Aircraft Service Unit #12. He received promotion, battle ribbons, medals, a unit citation and an Honorable Discharge. After his retirement, he served on many boards and committees in the labor and political field and held elected office for 12 years as a Democratic Committeeman. Bob was the Vice Chairman of the Retired Coalition AFL-CIO greater Kansas City, and served on the Executive Board and was a delegate to the AFL-CIO of Greater Kansas City. He was a delegate to the Greater Kansas City Building Trades and former president of the Pipefitter retirees club. Mayor Kay Barnes appointed him the Kansas City Compliance Board. Missouri Secretary of State, Bekki Cook appointed him the the State Library advisory board. He served on the board of directors for the Shepherd Center and in 1996 won the Harry S. Truman award for Jackson County. He wrote the jokes, for many years, in the Labor Beacon, he was a quail hunter, avid fisherman and silver life master bridge player. His wife, family and friends, (especially his fishing partners), will miss him greatly.

Bob is survived by his sister, Jeanne A. Downing, of Colorado Springs; his wife, Thelma Hemenway, his two daughters, Constance Cheryl Hemenway Aring, of Lone Tree, CO (Fred), Kerry Gwen Hemenway Neas, of League City, TX (Edward), Nell M. Hemenway, mother of his two sons, Lance Robert Hemenway of Olathe, KS (Deborah), Jeffrey Neil Hemenway of San Mateo, CA (Kerry); he is also survived by eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. The family invites you to a reception of light refreshments following the mass, at McGilley State Line Chapel.