Finley, Robert Michael “Bobby”
At peace in the Arms of Jesus on Thursday, August 20th, 2026.
Beloved son of Bob and Teresa Finley (nee Diethelm); loving brother of Jake (Kate) Finley, Hannah (Jimmy) Hudson, and Lucas (Kate Bogard) Finley; cherished grandson of Margie “Maw Maw” Diethelm and the late John “Paw Paw” Diethelm, Robert “Gramps” Finley, and Hilda “Graham Cracker” Finley; adoring uncle of Jacob and Vivian Finley, Finley Grace and James Hudson, and two more sweet babies on the way; cherished nephew of Susi (Michael) Blatz, Michael Diethelm, Rich (Jennifer) Finley, and the late Nancy and Carole Finley; dearest godson of Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim Hercules; our beloved nephew, cousin, and friend to many.
From an early age, Bobby aspired to be a Pediatric Cardiologist with a strong desire “to help save babies” like the wonderful care team at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital…had done for him after Bobby was born with an unknown congenital heart defect. Though other complications arose, Bobby healed & thrived & grew into the most precious, smart, smiley, loving little boy possible.
Bobby cherished his life & his equally precious siblings, cousins (Noelle, Elly, Livie, Eric, Kelsey, Andrew, Zachy) & ALL of his beloved family & friends throughout the years. Bobby was the perfect son in so many ways & for so so many years. We even nicknamed him “Wilbur” from Charlotte’s Web because he was simply so “special.” For most of Bobby’s life his laughter, funny sense of humor, & beautiful smile lit up rooms. But oftentimes he was painfully quiet. Bobby was kind, caring, sensitive, & loved to “chit chat” especially with elders. But again, oftentimes he was painfully quiet. And there was always our very serious minded “no foolishness” Bobby side!
Bobby thrived & excelled during his formative years at our Church—School, St. John’s Lutheran Ellisville. Our entire family did & were each blessed & enriched by the Holy Word & teachings of Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit was profoundly alive there; all our pastors, teachers, staff, friends, & devoted peers truly blessed our lives during those wonderful years.
Bobby enjoyed playing & participating in basketball & baseball… mostly all through his elementary, middle & high school years. Moving on to Lafayette High School, Bobby flourished in academics & incredible friendships, throughout his four years & graduated with National Honor Society accreditation & numerous accolades in May of 2012. Bobby then proceeded to Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry. Bobby was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity where he enjoyed countless activities, great brothers in arms, & philanthropical ventures. Bobby ultimately graduated in only four years also with minor studies in Business Administration & Spanish. Bobby also spent a season abroad to study in Puerto Rico which he truly enjoyed. Bobby graduated in May of 2016 with honors & just kept going. Having realized that becoming a doctor was not within his grasp, Bobby turned his sights to nursing, hoping to eventually aspire to Nurse Practitioner. Bobby began that process with a fastrack course & EMT appointment with Abbott EMS for the appropriate time necessary. Then transitioned to clinical patient care with Total Access Urgent Care where he also rose to shift management. Bobby was quickly accepted to Goldfarb School of Nursing Barnes-Jewish College & graduated with his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing—Accelerated in August of 2020. He went on straight to hire at “Big Barnes” where he also excelled in his new beloved career & his friendships. Bobby soon went back to studies & was accepted to Missouri Baptist College, where Bobby fastracked through the program to attain his Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner in December of 2024. Bobby had also inserted & completed an arduous preceptorship & clinicals into his schedule, in addition to his already taxing & mostly overnight 12-hour shifts for three & four days each week… AND Bobby loved overtime! Throughout all of this Bobby purchased his first home in Manchester, MO closeby sister Hannah & her family, adopted his sweet pup Tonka, & upgraded to his favorite Lexus crossover. Intermittently Bobby had pursued other advantageous positions as a travel nurse (some local) at Mercy South, Saint Luke’s, Home Health Care, & OU Health in Oklahoma City, OK. Bobby also then spent a break period with FedEx, which he actually enjoyed being mostly mobile & he loved to drive!! Bobby also loved to travel & spent his precious life counting off all the states he had visited. He & brother Luke were travel buddies & had a shared ambition of visiting every national park in the U.S. They trekked Alaska with Uncle Michael! Bobby cherished his precious nieces & nephews. He enjoyed playing with & teaching them “constructive” things. He was Godfather to Finley Grace, a role he delighted in greatly. Bobby enjoyed exercise & riding his bike, which he took with him on many jaunts. He enjoyed Saturday morning Bible Study, his music, & good food. He still enjoyed his silly computer games Roller Coaster & Zoo Tycoons, Sims, & Crazy Taxi.
Our Dear Bobby lived his life of late the very best he could & always tried his best to be productive, dutiful, & helpful. Again, Bobby loved his family & was always our sweet Wilbur. We grievously long for the day we hold him again in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the National Alliance on Mental Illness which will be greatly appreciated.
SERVICES: Visitation will be held at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL (10151 Gravois Rd., 63123) on Thursday, August 27th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.
Funeral service will be held at Pathfinder Church (originally St. John Lutheran) at 15800 Manchester Rd., 63011, on Friday, August 28th at 11:00 AM with a visitation hour prior. Followed by Bobby’s last drive by procession to his final rest & Interment at Sunset Memorial Park, then a Celebration of Life at Trattoria Toscana AKA Tika’s… for our forever beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, & friend.