Robert J. Green

Robert J. Green, 86, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully, Aug 2, 2012 surrounded by family and friends. He was born August 18, 1925, in Lawrence, KS one of the eight children of Basil and Leona Green. Upon graduating from Liberty Memorial High in 1943, he joined the Navy and served as Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class working at bomb and mine disposal in Japan. Bob married Martha J. Grob, at Danforth Chapel in 1948 and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Architecture in 1950. Joining his father’s business with his brothers Cecil and Pat, Bob became president of B.A. Green Construction in 1957. Fraser Hall, Hoch Auditorium, Spencer Research Library and Art Museum and many renovations of the Kansas Union were among the numerous KU campus buildings constructed by the company. Other notable local buildings include Lawrence Public Library, Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and Douglas County Bank – Main Facility. His nephews continue the family tradition into the third generation.
Bob was a longstanding member of a local coffee club where he shared stories about his children and grandchildren’s swim meets and reminisced about beloved family road trips to Colorado.
He was an active member of Trinity Episcopal and a founding member of Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church. A man of generous spirit and compassion, he cherished family, friends and life.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Martha on June 9th, 2001 and is survived by his younger sister Phyllis (Ted) Cross, sister-in-law Mary Green, and his 6 children Paul (Mary) Green of Orlando, Cindi (Dave) Mathews of Overland Park, Stacey (Mike) Handly of Osage City, Heather (Dirk) Bravence of Overland Park, Becca (Jim) Diederich of Lawrence and Katie (Chad) Bristow of Lawrence. Bob and Martha had 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be August 8, 6-8 PM at Warren McElwain mortuary. A service at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church August 9, 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and Douglas County Hospice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com
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