Robert “Bob” Charles Franz

Robert “Bob” Charles Franz, 71, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Bridge Haven-Opas House in Lawrence, KS. While we feel great sadness at his loss, we have profound gratitude for his release from his long journey with Lewy Body Dementia. It was not a quick or easy way to fade, not for him, and not for his beloved family, but there is nothing more true than this: how extraordinarily lucky we were to have known him.

Bob was born on November 28, 1950, in Wichita, KS, the son of Menno B. and Velma (Thiessen) Franz. He was a graduate of Wichita North High School in 1968. He attended Tabor College and received his bachelor’s in Social Work. Bob then attended the University of Kansas and earned a Master’s degree in social work. He dedicated himself to helping children and their families in the public school setting. Bob began working for the Lawrence Public Schools in the mid 1970s. Over his 35 years, Bob worked in many different elementary and middle schools throughout the district. His calm and kind manner helped to develop the Crisis Response Team. After retiring in 2011, he continued to be of service to others at Trinity Home Health, providing companion care to those in need. He married Carleen Buller on June 17, 1972, in Henderson, NE, nearly reaching the milestone of 50 years of marriage. The couple welcomed two children, Adam Christopher in 1980, and Katherine Sara in 1985.

Bob was defined by his love for family and friends. He lived a life of service to others working as a social worker in the public schools for 35 years, teaching junior high Sunday School, and serving on numerous committees and boards in his church and in his community. Bob was known for his ability to calm any fretting baby, play competitive golf, cook a gourmet meal, and entertain us all with his beautiful tenor voice. Bob participated in the Motet Singers, the Lawrence Civic Choir, and his church choir. But his greatest love was to sing in the East Hills Singers, an outreach of the Arts in Prison program. He was dedicated to the rehabilitation efforts for prisoners through artistic expression. He will be remembered for the twinkle in his eye, his mischievous laugh, and joy for life.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 50 years, Carleen, daughter, Katie (Jake) Fisher, son, Adam, (Jessica) Franz, sisters, Barbara (Myron) Toews, Mary Franz (Robert Ferro), and one granddaughter, Etta Jane Fisher. He is also survived by his loving extended family and a host of wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 1st, from 5pm-7pm, with a service of remembrance at 5:30pm at Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Drive Lawrence, KS 66047.

In the last year of his life, the staff of Bridge Haven became Bob’s second family and we would like to thank them and the Ascend Hospice care nurses and staff for their loving and compassionate care.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to Lewy Body Dementia lbda@lbda.org or Mennonite Central Committee www.mcc.org or East Hills Singers/Arts in Prison www.artsinprison.org and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.