Dr. Ron Geenens

Dr. Ron Geenens of Overland Park, Kansas passed away in his sleep on February 24, 2021 at the age of 88.  He is preceded in death by his bride and wife of 57 years, Shirley Collins Geenens.  He will be dearly missed as father, grandfather, great grandfather, general handyman (with great knowledge of how to fix just about anything), and as a profoundly impactful professor in the discipline of economics for thousands of students and student athletes.

Ron attended Shawnee Mission (North) High School.  He was a proud graduate of Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas where he played football for several of Baker's good football teams in the mid-to-late 50's.  He enlisted in the US Marines in the mid-50's and returned to Baker thereafter to finish his under-graduate degree and continue playing football.  He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at Baker when he met his future wife, Shirley, a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.  After securing a master's degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and a PhD in Economics from the University of Arkansas, he embarked on a decades-long career in higher education, teaching at the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, Murray State University, Baker University, Oklahoma City University, and the University of Central Missouri before retiring in 1996.

As a professor, he was affectionately known (offered without universal agreement on this point) as "Doc the Rock" and "Econ Ron."  He was known as very tough and honest in the classroom, yet with an abundance of compassion for those who struggled with subjects like economics or life in general.  Those who knew Ron beyond his professorial role were often impressed with his vast knowledge of tools and all things construction.  Much of his never-stop work ethic was forged working with his Belgian-born family of brick masons who settled in Shawnee and helped build and develop Prairie Village in the 1940's and 50's.

Ron is survived by three children and their spouses; David and Terry Geenens, Douglas and America Geenens, and Keith and Ronda Gray; his grandchildren and their spouses including Lauren, Megan, Alex, Blaire, Aubrey and Christian Paine, Hannah and Thomas Colvin, Austin and Sarah Geenens, and Paul and Brooke Burkhart; and his great grandchildren including Skyler Paine, Dakota Geenens, Oliver Paine, Daniel Geenens, and Thomas Colvin III (Tripp).

There will be a COVID-sensitive (masks requested) come-as-you-are open house on Friday, March 5th, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at a family residence - 21304 Whispering Drive, Lenexa, Kansas 66220 - for those wishing to meet and greet the family.  Please dress comfortably as Dad would have wished and done.  The family values most that you share your cherished and lasting memories of Ron on this site.  Please be verbose as we hope to share these memories in the future.  A private family burial service with military honors will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the newly established Dr. Ronald B. and Shirley M. Geenens Endowed Memorial Fund at Baker University.  You can do so at https://give.idonate.com/baker-university/geenens or, if writing a check, send to Baker University (Attn: Phillip Hannon), PO Box 65, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006, indicating your intentions in the memo of the check.