Kansas City, MO: Robert (Bob) Alan Jessup, born on September 26, 1956 ,in Bethany, Mo., to Max H. Jessup and Genevra Arline (Kleckner) Jessup. He passed away on May 18, 2025, at The Village at Carroll Park in Grandview, Mo., after fighting a hard battle for almost five years from cancer.
Bob was raised in Bethany graduating with the Class of 1975. After high school he attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he was active in the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He met his life partner, Patty Kay Keep from Iowa and they were wed in June of 1980 at First Christian Church in Shenandoah, Ia. They later divorced, then reconciled. The two resided in Northboro, Iowa, White Cloud, Kans., Bethany, Mo., before moving to the Kansas City area.
He was a diligent worker and loved the outdoors. He held many jobs in his career, most recently with the parks department with the city of Greenwood, Mo. Robert’s life was marked by the deep connections he forged with his family and friends, and he will be remembered for his kindness and quiet strength as well as a funny sense of humor. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.
Bob and Patty were very active with team penning with MOTPA, winning the Open Championship at the Missouri State Fair in 2004 with his teammates Robbie Aiken and Gene Mcintyre. He enjoyed trail riding and the many lasting friendships he retained since Bob and Patty’s first year of attendance at CCTR in 1989.
Love for the fur babies over the years was part of Bob’s life, in horses, cats and dogs. Current roommates are Jeffrey and Skubi Doo, dogs, and the demon cat Charlie along with the loving 20+ year old cat Princess, which often perched on Bob’s chest.
He leaves behind a loving family, including his loving ex-wife/domestic partner Patty Jessup, of Harrisonville, Mo. Sisters, Gyla Jean Wills (Stephen) of Volga, SD, and Patricia Lynn Hill (Gary) Marshfield, Mo. He was a cherished uncle to nephews Gary Lee Hill (Jacque), Gregory Michael Hill (Elizabeth) of Marshfield, Mo., Matthew Palermo (Laura) of Aurora, Colo. and niece Becky Randolph (Archie) of St. Joseph, Mo. Brother in-law Randy (RD) Keep and wife, Karen of Oskaloosa, Ia.; nephews Ryan Keep of Oskaloosa; Jeff Keep (Hannah) and their daughters Jayla and Jordan Grace and adopted nephew Joseph Smith of Oskaloosa, as well as many fraternity brothers and many friends.
Robert was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his grandparents: Francis and Hulbert Ray Kleckner, Lida and Darwin Jessup, and step-grandfather Ralph Gray.
Celebration of life service will be held at Peculiar United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11 a.m. Visitation with the family will be prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Family requests that everyone come in casual dress as Bob would have liked it…..jeans, shorts, sweats, pajamas but be comfortable.