Robert Lee Hart aka Bob, Coach, Ned & Dad, passed peacefully from his physical body on November 29, 2024.  At his bedside were his children: Jeanie, Bobby and Josh.  His last words to the family were, "Do not be sad for me; it is okay to fight, but always make up, and remember that you are always stronger together." He was always the teacher, always finding the lesson to help people in life.

Robert was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado June 6th, 1940 to Mildred Lucille Campbell (Hart)  and Howard Aaron Hart.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings: John Dean, and Jack Aaron, and the mother of his children Mary Joyce Fritz (Hart - Morgan).

He is survived by his children: Jean Marie Hart, Robert Micheal Hart, and Joshua Paul Hart (Arunakul), his sister Betty Ann Hart (Tucker), his brother Asa Hart Jr., and his grandchildren, Landon Davis Hart, Evan Lee Hart, Neal Joshua Arunakul, Issac Daniel Arunukal, Caleb Carter Arunakul, and his children by marriage and commitment, James Joseph DeCosta, Athena Nyree Denney (Hart), and Nikon Roy Arunakul.

Robert graduated from Rogers High School in 1959.  He received his Bachelors of Science in Education from The University of Arkansas in 1964, and his Masters of Science Education from Central Missouri State in 1971.  He played football and served in the Arkansas National Guard while in high school and college.   Education, athletics, coaching, and public service were the foundations of who Robert Hart was, and how he lived his life.

Robert always said that his teachers and his coaches saved him; they provided the tools and support he needed to become the best version of himself.  These educators and coaches were his role models, and he honored them by becoming a teacher, an educator, a coach, and paying it forward to generations of students and athletes.

Robert taught biology, zoology, botany, anatomy, and driver's education at Leavenworth High School for over 50 years.  He coached football, track, golf, swimming & diving. To provide his students with hands-on educational resources, he built interactive ecosystems, he cleared nature trails behind the high school, built an outdoor classroom out of split logs, dug a pond, and built a greenhouse.  He used best practices in education, before they were called "best practices". Cats and racoons on dissection trays, and jars of various fauna in formaldehyde were a normal sight in his classroom.

Robert believed that not all knowledge and lessons came from a classroom, when flood waters threatened the Leavenworth Community Center he had the Leavenworth football team stacking sandbags to save the building from rising waters.   In the last few weeks many people have shared stories of his impact on their lives.  It made him proud to see his students succeed in their passions; he loved running into his former "kids" around town.   He really loved it when one of them was his healthcare provider, and he could use all of his technical anatomy jargon.

Many of his colleagues and former students have referred to Robert as a force of nature, a legend, and a pillar of the Leavenworth School District and the Leavenworth Community.  He taught and coached until he was 78 years old; he told the people who loved him that he needed a purpose, and his purpose was to be an educator. The outpouring of love from his friends, former colleagues, and students has been a testament to his impact on so many lives.  Bob Hart, Coach, Ned, Dad was true to his life's mission and he will be dearly missed.

Robert's Irish wake will be at the Eagles in Leavenworth from 7:30 P.M. until 10:30 P.M. on Friday, January 17, 2025.  An Irish wake is a celebration of one's life; it is a joyous occasion to toast to Robert's life, share stories, and listen to a Celtic band.

Robert's Celebration of Life and Service will be held in the Leavenworth High School Auditorium on Saturday January 18th, 2025 at 3 P.M. The doors will open at 1:30 P.M. for anyone who   would like to visit with each other, and Robert's family.  The attire for this celebration is Leavenworth blue, Razorback and Chief's gear.  Shorts in January are acceptable, and encouraged.

The Coach Hart - Natural Ned Scholarship and Science Memorial, an annual scholarship and science grant for students, and teachers, is being created in his name.  In lieu of flowers, please hold your donations for the foundation which is in the process of being established.   The family will provide additional information about scholarships, and science grants once the foundation is approved by the State of Kansas and the Leavenworth School District.

The Word is One.