Robert H. "Bob" Hippensteel

Robert H. “Bob” Hippensteel, a “Prince of a guy,” who was kind and always had a positive outlook on life, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Oak Grove, MO. He was 84 years old. Bob was born February 20, 1937 in Silver Creek Township, Michigan to Gage and Alice Hippensteel and was the third of four brothers. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in the class of 1955 then began his college career when attending Western Michigan University for a year. Bob then joined the United States Navy, where he proudly served for four years. Stationed in San Diego, Bob played in military concerts, and was a master of playing the tuba in a Navy Band. It was at one of his concerts where he met the girl of his dreams, Mary Irene Jackson, and captured her heart with his charm and sense of humor. They fell in love and got married on March 5, 1960 in Independence, MO.

Bob and Mary stayed in a beach bungalow in their first year together before building their home in Independence, where they raised their three sons: Tom, Dave, and Drew. Bob was very involved in Boy Scouts for almost 20 years and was adamant about taking a 1-week vacation from work, so that he could go to Boy Scout camp with his sons, something he truly loved. He was a member in Boy Scout Troop #344 and later #802. In 1976, he received his Bachelors of Business Administration from Central Missouri State University. For over 30 years, Bob worked as a truck driver for Jones Truck Line and was a loyal member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, reading and even translating children’s books to Braille in his spare time. Those that knew him best would say that Bob was a great listener who had the patience of a saint and could talk to anyone about anything. Bob had an excellent sense of humor, from quick witted jokes, to catchy limericks and fractured nursery rhymes, be it adult and children versions.

Bob was a wonderful, loving father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was fiercely devoted to his family and impacted the lives of so many, especially Boy Scouts and troubled young men that he mentored over the years. He will be deeply missed by those who survive him: His son Tom and his wife Laurie Hippensteel and their children Jordan and his wife Andrea, and daughter Mollie Hippensteel, son Dave and his wife Shirlene Hippensteel and their children Michael Hippensteel, Kimberly and her husband Jake Smith, and Owen and his husband Anthony Craig, and son Andrew and his wife Saori Hippensteel and their children Megen and Mia Hippensteel, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of almost 61 years, Mary Irene Hippensteel; parents, Gage and Alice Hippensteel, and brothers, Roger, Rodney, and Ray Hippensteel.

A visitation to honor Bob will be held on Monday, May 10, from 6-8 p.m., with a funeral service the following day, Tuesday, May 11, at 2 p.m., both at the at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave. in Independence, MO. The service will be livestreamed via Speaks Chapels page, as well as video recorded and posted to his web page. He will be laid to rest in Mount Washington Cemetery next to his wife, Mary. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900).