Robert "Bob" Michael Bliss, 74, of Olathe, KS passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Robert "Bob" Michael Bliss was born on September 2 nd , 1947 in Kansas City, KS to Corinne V. (Barnhart) & Robert D. Bliss. He spent most of his childhood in Hermosa Beach and Reseda, CA along with his siblings where his father was transferred for work with Trans World Airlines, TWA.  In 1965, the family moved back to Kansas City, KS where he completed his high school studies and graduated from Wyandotte High School.  He enrolled at the University of Kansas in Lawrence for fall semester; however shortly thereafter he quickly shifted gears and voluntarily enlisted for Aviation School in the United States Marine Corp on December 3 rd , 1965.

After enlisting, Bob focused on his aerial navigation training at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina where he would be stationed over the next several years.  In 1968, he was deployed to Vietnam for his first assignment with the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron VMGR-152, MAG-36, 1 st MAW as a navigator for the KC-130 aircraft. He would conduct two tours in Vietnam which involved numerous trans-Pacific missions to DaNang, Vietnam and Okinawa, Japan.  After completing his overseas tours, he returned to the M.C. Air Station El Toro in Santa, Ana California in 1970 ending his active duty as a Sergeant.

He made the decision to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve on April 3, 1970-December 2 nd , 1971 and moved back to Kansas City.  Even though he didn't continue with active service, being the older brother of the family, loyal and dedicated he made sure his younger brothers Steve and Mark Bliss knew if they were ever drafted for Vietnam, he would take their place for them.

Upon his return to Kansas City, his love for aviation persevered and he became a civilian air traffic controller in Olathe, KS at the Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center.  Shortly after, he married Cynthia Petty, mother of his first daughter, Nicolle Marie Bliss, born in 1978. They resided in Olathe, KS as he continued working at the Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center until 1981.   After the U.S. PATCO strike in 1981, determined to continue on in his career in the aviation field, he joined the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) working as an Air Traffic Controller.  He accepted a job in Saudi Arabia and he moved his family overseas in 1982.

During his time overseas, Bob had the opportunity to experience some of life's greatest adventures, packing so much life into his time on earth.  He truly loved traveling and immersed himself in other cultures and as a result, enjoyed sharing his travel experiences with others throughout his life.  Just a few of his travel favorites included snow skiing in the Alps in Austria, riding camels in Giza, Egypt while looking at the Pyramids, visiting Thailand and friends in Tokyo, Japan, experiencing a safari in Kenya, Africa and one of his favorites, going on night dives in the Red Sea off the coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

In 1984, he divorced and his daughter Nicolle and her mother moved back to the United States.  He continued to work overseas, travel and was offered a job in New Zealand as a controller. He chose to come back to the U.S. to be with his daughter and closer to his immediate family in Olathe, KS.  In 1987, his focus shifted and he embarked on a new line of work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and throughout his career with them, he advanced to the position of a Management Analyst.

In 1991, he met partner, Linda Huske-McCracken while residing in Olathe and in 1993, his second daughter, Bobbi Lin Bliss was born. They focused on raising Bobbi and both of their children from previous marriages.  Bob was eventually offered an early retirement package from the U.S Department of Agriculture in 1997 and accepted. After retiring, he worked with Linda at her gymnastics and swim business, McCracken's Gymnastics & Swim.  He supported operations through various functions including building their swimming pool, helping with maintenance, computer work, or mowing the yard; he was a jack of all trades so there wasn't anything you wouldn't see him doing around the gym or that he couldn't do!  He always kept very busy.

During that time, he focused on watching Bobbi grow and spent lots of time at gymnastics meets and her youth functions.  He also loved to spend time when he could with his oldest daughter Nicolle and her children, his eldest grandson's Leyton and Sullivan in addition to Linda's children, Scott, Heather, and Amber and their children throughout the years and supported them as if they were his own children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed many good years of watching, basketball, baseball and soccer games along with gymnastics competitions.   He was a very proud father and "Grandpa Bob." Throughout the years, his love for travel resonated and he continued to fulfill that love by going on various family trips within the U.S. and to visit his daughter Bobbi when she attended the University of North Texas in Denton, TX.

Bob was known by many, as he spent the majority of his adulthood living in Olathe, KS.   He could strum up a conversation and turn a room full of strangers into a room full of friends.  Many would recognize him by his signature mustache, giving him one of his many nicknames as the "mustache man."  In addition to his mustache, his daily choice of hat which included the universities from where the children attended (KU, OU, USNA, KSU, and UNT), funny laugh and smile made him a favorite among many.  Even throughout challenging times in life, he was always up for a good joke or laugh and how he enjoyed life was through humor!  For many years, he requested we create a "limerick" as his Christmas gift which provided plenty of laughter.

Bob led his life with loyalty, commitment, courage, discipline and a solid work ethic and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone that asked with no expectation of anything in return.  He simply enjoyed helping others and lending his expertise to whoever asked.  His time in the Marines set the foundation for the remainder of his life and he was committed to those qualities that he had developed and was very proud of them.   "Semper Fi" never faded throughout his life.

Even though in his last years with us here, his light continued bright, he fought hard and reflected it in such a courageous way. Bob would want everyone to remember him for the "life" in his years, not the "years" in his life (Abraham Lincoln) and to honor him by telling your favorite memory about him or sharing a joke with family, a friend or even a stranger.

Survivors include partner Linda McCracken, daughter Nicolle Bliss (Overland Park, KS) Leyton and Sullivan Jones, daughter Bobbi Bliss (Denton, TX), Scott McCracken (Rebecca), Julia, Brooke and Sydney McCracken(Campbell, CA). Heather Messenger (Jeff), Emily and Aubrey Messenger (Lenexa, KS) Amber McCracken (Scott Beaumont), Alexis, Sophia and Charley Beaumont (Lenexa, KS).   Mother Corinne V. Bliss, Olathe, KS,  two brothers and two sisters, Mark Bliss (Peggy Bliss) Olathe, KS, Stephen Bliss (Karen Bliss), Smithville, MO, Deborah Meyer (Bill Meyer), Lutz, FL, and Rebecca Bliss, Louisburg, KS and many cousins.  Bob also had also many nieces and nephews that looked up to their Uncle Bob.

Robert was preceded in death by his father Robert D. Bliss and his brother Rodney W. Bliss.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Davis Funeral Chapel from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by funeral service at 12:00p.m.  Interment ceremony will commence at Leavenworth National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Suggestions for donations In lieu of flowers in honor of Robert "Bob" Bliss can be made to the Alzheimer's Association Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W. 75 th St. Prairie Village, KS 66208 or to Heartland Honor Flight Attn: Donations P.O. Box 843930 Kansas City, MO 64184-3930.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Ascend Hospice team, specifically Kim White, RN, who graciously went above and beyond her normal call of duty to assist dad.  You were one of the many blessings in his life and we sincerely appreciate everything you did for him.