Robert H. Badgley

ROBERT H BADGLEY A Life well Lived Walter and Alice Badgley of Kansas City, Kansas, and an older sister Betty, welcomed Bob to their family on February 27, 1931. His father owned Paramount Coal Company, providing heating and cooking coal to homes and businesses. Through his father he acquired his life-long love of business. Living on the outskirts of Kansas City, he enjoyed growing up helping in the large family garden during the depression years. His first job, at age 12, was popping popcorn at the Dickson Theatre. A fond childhood memory of his was how his father obtained a really nice bicycle for him by trading coal for it with a local contest prize winner’s family. While in High School, Bob worked as the “night librarian” at The Kansas City Star newspaper. Working the overnight shift, he settled many bar disputes for those who called in to have him look up past newspaper stories. After high school Bob, was called up by the military after one year of college. While in the Navy, he was assigned to the National Security Agency and enjoyed top-secret security clearance. At the end of his tour of duty, with a letter of commendation from the Director of the Agency in hand, he attended the University of Kansas. While at KU, his many accomplishments included President of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and President of the university’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America. In 1956 he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Bob’s long business career started at Proctor & Gamble in their Kansas City Accounting and Sales office. From 1956 to 1969 he rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest manager in his office in 1961 and later being named Manager of Government Contract Business at P&G’s headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. After leaving P&G, his other notable positions included Vice-President of Marketing at National Liberty Marketing, an insurance company. While growing his career at P&G, he met and married his life-long love Betty Pearson in 1959. A young widow from an electrical accident, she brought to their 60-year marriage two sons. Steve was 5 and Jeff was 11 months old at the time. Their daughter Ellen, born in 1962, completed the family. A family man at heart, his undying love and pride in his family never wavered. In 1981, Bob and Betty returned to Kansas City where he joined Gaslight Commercial Real Estate as a senior agent. After growing to be a Business Broker, he acquired the company in 1997. In true Bob fashion, he was a past president of the Kansas City Business Broker Association and the Commercial Brokers Association. He kept his broker’s license current and active until officially retiring in 2022 at the age of 91. Bob was described by many as a “true gentleman”. Always caring and considerate, he put any situation at ease with a quick joke. Two of his lifelong passions were playing bridge and trading in the stock market. A Silver Life Master, little in daily life was as important as playing cards on Mondays and Tuesdays at the local bridge club. Trading stocks got him out of bed each weekday morning with a check of the market. His success in both these areas is a testament to how mentally sharp he was. Staying independent and active were also important to him. An excellent driver, he and his car rarely spent a full day home. Bob was pre-deceased in death by his parents, his wife, his oldest son Stephen K. Pearson, and his sisters Kathleen Opel and Helen Badgley. He is survived by his son Jeffrey W. Pearson (Ann) of Anaheim Hills, CA; Daughter Ellen Zibell (Ted) of Fort Collins, CO; as well as 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. The Family expresses its gratitude to the Columbine health Systems’ Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab Facility and Pathways Hospice. Both provided valuable assistance to Bob and his family. The celebration of his life is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1st at The Lodge at Mackenzie Place in Fort Collins, CO. After cremation, Bob’s ashes will be interred at Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, KS. In lieu of flowers, donations to Pathways Hospice would be appreciated.

Tributes

Robert H. Badgley

February 27, 1931 - November 5, 2023