Robert "Bob" Paul Kovar

Robert “Bob” Paul Kovar was born on September 10, 1952, in Kansas City, Missouri, and passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, in Gardner, Kansas.

Bob retired on his birthday in 2002 as a Supervisor with the Federal Aviation Administration after over 27 years of service. During his time there, he formed lasting friendships and left a steady, quiet impact on the people he worked alongside. He was respected not just for what he did, but for who he was, dependable, thoughtful, and someone others could count on.

But Bob’s greatest role in life was as a husband, father, and grandfather.

Bob was married to Cheryl “Reed” Kovar for 27 years. Together they shared a full and meaningful life and raised six children, Kimberly Wilson, Angela Stanley, Jason Kovar, Jennifer Vandeventer, Joshua Kovar, and Jonathan Kovar, whom he dearly loved. Those years were foundational in Bob’s life, and the family they created together was one of his greatest blessings.

Later in life, he was blessed to share his life with his devoted wife, Valerie Lynn (Halsne) Kovar. Together they built a life centered around their family. Bob lovingly embraced Valerie’s children, Emily Highfill, Adam Lockridge, and Abbey Dunbar, as his own.

He is also survived by his brother, Jim, not only his brother, but his lifelong best friend. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Dorothy and John, and his parents, Gilbert and Ruth Kovar.

Bob valued his relationship with his children deeply. He spent countless hours with them at family gatherings, holidays, and ordinary evenings together. His children love him deeply and will always carry with them the steady presence and quiet strength he brought into their lives.

Nothing brought him more joy than being Grandpa, or “Gramps,” as many of them called him. He was incredibly proud of his 37 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He delighted in taking them out for slushies or ice cream, sitting and talking with them, and simply being part of their world. Those small outings and everyday moments became lasting memories.

Bob also loved gathering with friends to talk and share meals, especially breakfast. He enjoyed sitting around a table with coffee, telling stories, and catching up. He appreciated westerns, the outdoors, and time spent hunting, but above all, he treasured being surrounded by the people he loved.

A graveside service will be held Monday, March 2 at 3:00 p.m. at Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, Kansas.

Bob’s legacy lives on in the family he loved so deeply, in the friendships he nurtured, and in the generations who will remember him as Dad, Grandpa, Gramps, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

To share a memory of Bob, or to leave a message for the family, visit the guestbook below.