Robert L. O’Brien
CASTLE PINES, Colo. - Robert L. O'Brien,
81,of Castle Pines, Colorado passed away on Friday, September 19, 2008.
He graduated in 1944 from Westport High School where he led the basketball team to a Kansas High School championship. He was recruited by Pepperdine University where he was an All American basketball player. His college years at Pepperdine were interrupted with service in WWII, when he returned he continued to play for University of Kansas. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He received his Masters Degree at University of Kansas. After college, he played for the NBA as a center for the Philadelphia Warriors and was very proud to have the famous Wilt Chamberlain take over his number. After Philadelphia, he spent several years playing with the infamous Washington Generals against the Harlem Globetrotters and had a wonderful time touring Europe with this fun loving team.
Bob taught high school for a while as he loved the game of basketball and loved coaching. Four daughters later, he entered the insurance industry and spent most of his career as President of Mid America Fire and Marine in Kansas City and retired in Denver, Colorado as Executive Vice President of True Value Hardware Stores- Insurance Division in 1995.
Bob and Boots originated the Husband and Wife Tennis Tournament in Kansas City that was held for 14 years. Bob was a dominant tennis player in the Kansas City area for years-winning many championships with his doubles partners, his wife Boots, and all of his daughters.
He was a member of the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas for many years.
Bob never met a stranger and will always be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor. He loved all animals and especially his dogs Bo, Bomber, Boss and Bandit.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Boots O’Brien of Castle Pines, CO, four daughters and his sons-in-law: Bea and John Coleton, Lenexa, KS; Barbi and Scott Dickison, Portsmouth, RI; Bonnie O'Brien, Bobbie Mehan and the late David Mehan of Gainesville, FL. Four grandchildren; Holliday, Taylor, Crissa Keen, Lillie Mehan and three step-grandchildren, Morgan, Clayton, and Chadwick Dickison, also survive him. He is also survived by his brother, William E. O'Brien (Harolyn) and sister, Karen (Elree) Smithart and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to gather at Homestead Country Club, Mission Hills, Kansas, on Sunday, September 28, 2008, from 2-5 p.m.
CASTLE PINES, Colo. - Robert L. O'Brien,
81,of Castle Pines, Colorado passed away on Friday, September 19, 2008.
He graduated in 1944 from Westport High School where he led the basketball team to a Kansas High School championship. He was recruited by Pepperdine University where he was an All American basketball player. His college years at Pepperdine were interrupted with service in WWII, when he returned he continued to play for University of Kansas. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He received his Masters Degree at University of Kansas. After college, he played for the NBA as a center for the Philadelphia Warriors and was very proud to have the famous Wilt Chamberlain take over his number. After Philadelphia, he spent several years playing with the infamous Washington Generals against the Harlem Globetrotters and had a wonderful time touring Europe with this fun loving team.
Bob taught high school for a while as he loved the game of basketball and loved coaching. Four daughters later, he entered the insurance industry and spent most of his career as President of Mid America Fire and Marine in Kansas City and retired in Denver, Colorado as Executive Vice President of True Value Hardware Stores- Insurance Division in 1995.
Bob and Boots originated the Husband and Wife Tennis Tournament in Kansas City that was held for 14 years. Bob was a dominant tennis player in the Kansas City area for years-winning many championships with his doubles partners, his wife Boots, and all of his daughters.
He was a member of the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas for many years.
Bob never met a stranger and will always be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor. He loved all animals and especially his dogs Bo, Bomber, Boss and Bandit.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Boots O’Brien of Castle Pines, CO, four daughters and his sons-in-law: Bea and John Coleton, Lenexa, KS; Barbi and Scott Dickison, Portsmouth, RI; Bonnie O'Brien, Bobbie Mehan and the late David Mehan of Gainesville, FL. Four grandchildren; Holliday, Taylor, Crissa Keen, Lillie Mehan and three step-grandchildren, Morgan, Clayton, and Chadwick Dickison, also survive him. He is also survived by his brother, William E. O'Brien (Harolyn) and sister, Karen (Elree) Smithart and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to gather at Homestead Country Club, Mission Hills, Kansas, on Sunday, September 28, 2008, from 2-5 p.m.