Robert “Bob” LeRoy Locher, 85, of Lenexa, Kansas passed on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at home after a lengthy illness. The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate, skillful services of Evergreen Hospice that allowed Bob to remain lovingly cared for at home.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the Heritage Activity Center of Lakeview Village, 9100 Park St., Lenexa, KS 66215. Friends are encouraged to share in refreshments, conversation, and laughter following the service.
Bob was born April 19, 1933 at the family farmhouse in Berwick, Kansas. The second of five children, Bob grew up on 80 acres, learning to farm crops and livestock. However, Bob found his true calling at the age of 13 when he took his first train ride from Hiawatha to Sabetha, Kansas. Those 18 miles of rails led to a life-long passion for trains and travel. A self-described “railroad nut,” Bob recorded every mile he ever rode on a train from that point on, for the rest of his life. He rode trains in all 50 states and in 14 countries, logging over 400,000 miles! Professionally, Bob combined his love of trains and acumen with numbers into a life-long, fulfilling career in the business of railroading. After beginning his career with the Chicago Great Western, Bob worked in sales and accounting for the Kansas City Southern Railway for 30 years.
Bob would tell you that the most memorable train trip he ever took was from Waterloo, Iowa to Chicago on May 19, 1962. On that day he met the love of his life, Suzanne Gleason, and they married one year later in Des Moines, Iowa. Bob and Sue celebrated 55 years of marriage on May 11. Together, they created a home, raised two beautiful daughters, traveled the world, and enjoyed a wonderful life together. Bob will be remembered for his quiet strength, tenacity, easy-going manner, and wanderlust for railroads around the world.
Bob is survived by his wife, Suzanne of Lenexa, KS, two daughters, Ami Levin and her husband Jeff of Olathe, KS, Meg Holloway and her husband John of Overland Park, KS; three grandchildren, Noah Levin and his wife Jennifer, Adam Levin, and Miranda Holloway. He is also survived by three siblings, Wayne Locher and his wife Pat of Fresno, CA, Betty Metzger and her husband Doug of Seneca, KS, and Roger Locher and his wife Patty of Sabetha, KS, along with seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cordelia and Theodore, and an infant sister Janice.
To honor Bob’s life, the family requests donations to Evergreen Hospice (www.ehc4u.org/giving) or the charitable organization of your choice.