Robert E. Owens

Robert E. Owens, 90, of Shawnee, KS passed away April 10, 2022, at Brookdale Rosehill Assisted Living in Shawnee, KS. Robert was born March 16, 1932, and raised in the rural communities east and west of Hopkins, MO. His birthplace was at a farm home approximately three miles east of Hopkins and one mile south of the Iowa/Missouri state line. Robert graduated from Hopkins High School in 1950 and started his college education at Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in Maryville, MO. Robert transferred to the Missouri School of Mines & Metallurgy at Rolla, MO where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in the fall semester of 1954. Robert married Wanda G. Godsey of Hopkins, MO. June 1, 1952. Together they raised six children. Robert was drafted for army service in May 1955, and served two years active duty in the regular army and two years of duty in the active army reserves. His active duty service in the USA included time spent at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas; Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and Camp Hale, Colorado. One year of service was performed in Verdun, France at the COMZ Headquarters. After being released from active duty in 1957, Robert was employed by Kansas City consulting engineering firms Howard, Needles, Tammen and Bergendoff; and Black & Veatch. A Master of Science in Environmental Engineering was obtained from Kansas University in 1969. After forty-two years of employment at Black & Veatch, he retired in December, 2002.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the Amos Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the funeral home with burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. To view the service live CLICK HERE .

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Merriam Christian Church Memorial Fund, 9401 Johnson Dr.; Merriam, KS 66203; or a charity of your choice.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Marie Owens, of Hopkins, MO, his sister Emma Mae Pruitt, and his wife, Wanda, of fifty-five years.

Robert is survived by six children and their spouses: son Robert David Owens and wife Ruth of Lenexa, KS; daughter Merrilees Owens of Winnsboro, SC; son Roger Eugene Owens and wife Mary Jane of Frankford, MO; daughter Kathleen Engle and husband Stuart of Tonganoxie, KS; son Jonathan Alan Owens and wife Mary of Shawnee, KS; and son James Ryan Owens and wife Lisa of Shawnee, KS. Additional survivors of Robert’s immediate family include nine grandchildren and their spouses: David Redlich and wife Karen; Rebecca Bullard and husband Rob; Catherine Felten and husband Brent; Teresa Owens; Christopher Owens and wife Kera; Jonathan A. Owens Jr. and wife Sarah; Tony Michalski and wife Debbie; Nate Michalski; Crystal White Metcalfe and husband Justin; and many beloved great grandchildren. Robert leaves three surviving sisters, Linda Younger, Rosalea Kelley, and Carla Taylor, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.