1931
Mr.
2009
Mr. Robert Long
October 31, 1931 — December 20, 2009
Robert A. (Bob) Long, 78, of Leawood, KS died Sunday December 20, 2009 from cardiac arrest, surrounded by family and friends. He was born October 31, 1931, in McCune, KS and was raised on a farm by his parents, Margaret and Everett Long.
Bob attended the University of Kansas, receiving a degree in Accounting in 1957. It was at KU where he met and fell in love with his wife of 52 years, Ida M. (Mazie) Long. Bob always said that he was lucky enough to have three careers. He spent 28 years with Arthur Andersen & Co. where he became a partner, managing partner and senior partner of the Kansas City office. After leaving public accounting, he worked in the movie industry at Commonwealth Theaters. When Commonwealth Theaters was bought by a foreign company, one of Bob’s long time friends, Bill Dunn, Sr., asked if Bob would come work at J.E. Dunn Construction Group. He spent the next 23 years at J.E. Dunn, including being the Chairman from 1999 to 2008.
Besides working in Kansas City, Bob had a passion for helping others. Although he was never a Scout, the Boy Scout motto, “Do a good turn daily,” was a credo he tried to live by each day. His many good deeds included serving as the Council President of the Heart of America Council, Chairman of the Board of the Heart of America Council, Executive Board and as a Regional Board member for the Boy Scouts. Because of his volunteer service, Bob was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award, and was named Presiding Chieftain for the Tribe of Mic-O-Say in 1987. However, the Boy Scouts was not the only benefactor of Bob’s generosity. Bob was active on numerous boards in and around Kansas City including the Children’s Mercy Hospital on their Central Governing Board and as Chairman, Kansas City Crime Commission, McGee Foundation, Midwest Research Institute, Rockhurst University, University of Kansas Endowment Association, the University of Kansas Advisory Board, Kansas City Civic Council, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Heart of America United Way, and the University of Kansas School of Nursing. Bob never asked of others what he would not do himself. Because of his actions, he was also named Mr. Kansas City in 1981, and received, amongst other awards, the Distinguished Service Citation and Elsworth Medallion from the University of Kansas, the Citation Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters and the Van Ackeren Spirit Award from Rockhurst University, and the 2008 Distinguished Citizen award from the Boy Scouts.
There is an old saying that behind every good man, there is a good woman. For Bob, his good woman stood next to him every day for over 52 years, including his very last. Bob is survived by his wife, Mazie, son Byron and daughter-in-law Martha Long, their two grandchildren, Cameron and Anna, two sisters Martha Foster and family and Leona Glavin and family. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers Merle and Clayton, sister Pauline, and daughter Kathryn.
Those that have met Bob Long know that he was a man of kindness and humility. He believed that dreams could be accomplished and that no hill was too tall to climb. This “can do” attitude carried on not only in his life, but to those that were close to him. His spirit will live on throughout Kansas City, but not as clear as a mural on the wall at Children’s Mercy Hospital South dedicated in his name.
Funeral services will be at 10:00am on Wednesday December 23, 2009 at the Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, Kansas with a reception immediately following.
Bob and his family request memorials to be sent to the KU Endowment Association, Children’s Mercy Hospital, or the Boy Scouts of America - Heart of America Council in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements: D. W. Newcomer’s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 913-451-1860
Bob attended the University of Kansas, receiving a degree in Accounting in 1957. It was at KU where he met and fell in love with his wife of 52 years, Ida M. (Mazie) Long. Bob always said that he was lucky enough to have three careers. He spent 28 years with Arthur Andersen & Co. where he became a partner, managing partner and senior partner of the Kansas City office. After leaving public accounting, he worked in the movie industry at Commonwealth Theaters. When Commonwealth Theaters was bought by a foreign company, one of Bob’s long time friends, Bill Dunn, Sr., asked if Bob would come work at J.E. Dunn Construction Group. He spent the next 23 years at J.E. Dunn, including being the Chairman from 1999 to 2008.
Besides working in Kansas City, Bob had a passion for helping others. Although he was never a Scout, the Boy Scout motto, “Do a good turn daily,” was a credo he tried to live by each day. His many good deeds included serving as the Council President of the Heart of America Council, Chairman of the Board of the Heart of America Council, Executive Board and as a Regional Board member for the Boy Scouts. Because of his volunteer service, Bob was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award, and was named Presiding Chieftain for the Tribe of Mic-O-Say in 1987. However, the Boy Scouts was not the only benefactor of Bob’s generosity. Bob was active on numerous boards in and around Kansas City including the Children’s Mercy Hospital on their Central Governing Board and as Chairman, Kansas City Crime Commission, McGee Foundation, Midwest Research Institute, Rockhurst University, University of Kansas Endowment Association, the University of Kansas Advisory Board, Kansas City Civic Council, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Heart of America United Way, and the University of Kansas School of Nursing. Bob never asked of others what he would not do himself. Because of his actions, he was also named Mr. Kansas City in 1981, and received, amongst other awards, the Distinguished Service Citation and Elsworth Medallion from the University of Kansas, the Citation Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters and the Van Ackeren Spirit Award from Rockhurst University, and the 2008 Distinguished Citizen award from the Boy Scouts.
There is an old saying that behind every good man, there is a good woman. For Bob, his good woman stood next to him every day for over 52 years, including his very last. Bob is survived by his wife, Mazie, son Byron and daughter-in-law Martha Long, their two grandchildren, Cameron and Anna, two sisters Martha Foster and family and Leona Glavin and family. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers Merle and Clayton, sister Pauline, and daughter Kathryn.
Those that have met Bob Long know that he was a man of kindness and humility. He believed that dreams could be accomplished and that no hill was too tall to climb. This “can do” attitude carried on not only in his life, but to those that were close to him. His spirit will live on throughout Kansas City, but not as clear as a mural on the wall at Children’s Mercy Hospital South dedicated in his name.
Funeral services will be at 10:00am on Wednesday December 23, 2009 at the Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, Kansas with a reception immediately following.
Bob and his family request memorials to be sent to the KU Endowment Association, Children’s Mercy Hospital, or the Boy Scouts of America - Heart of America Council in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements: D. W. Newcomer’s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 913-451-1860
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