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 Jr. and Vivian Grace Finley, Finley Grace and James Jr. 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 (“BFF” Noelle, Elly, Livie, Eric, Kelsey, Andrew, Zachy) “Aunt Jillie”…“Uncle David & Aunt Mary Beth” & 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” particularly with his elders…& oh, especially the ladies!! 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 also found “his Ashley” (Hipp-Shelley) at “STJ” & their kinship lasted all tests of time & distance.
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 enjoyed playing golf in rare spare time, but never quite found the same passion for it as big brother Jake! But according to all the avid Finley men & golf buddies, “Bobby had one helluva drive”…they loved being together & sharing “beezos” on the course. Bobby 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 even 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. He was “frick” & her mommy was “frack” & Momma Teresa always said her precious middles were “the twins I never had…” Bobby enjoyed exercise, nature, hiking & riding his bike, which he took along with him & Tonka on many jaunts. He enjoyed Saturday morning Bible Study, his Pandora music (even with commercials), & good food. He also still found fun in 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 hardest to be productive, responsible, accountable, dutiful, & helpful. Again, Bobby loved his family & friends ever dearly & was always our sweet Wilbur. We grievously long for the day we hold him again in Heaven. Rest in Peace & Eternal Light with Christ, our beautiful sonshine.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the National Alliance on Mental Illness which will be greatly appreciated.
Also please know that Bobby’s family is in process of establishing “The Robert Michael Finley Foundation” a 501(c)(3) charitable trust to help bless others in times of need & troubles.
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 (10180 Gravois Rd., 63123)
Family & friends will gather together for further celebration of Bobby’s precious life at Trattoria Toscana aka Tika’s… Our forever beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, & friend.
PLEASE JOIN US…
11686 Gravois Rd., 63126
My heart is broken to hear this awful news. Bobby was always a bright face in a crowd and kind to everyone. My condolences goes out to all the Finley family, but especially to Bob, Theresa, and his siblings. You were always a close knit family. I pray that your wonderful memories and love for him will help you through this sad time.
We love that smile, it expresses all you need to know about him. We will always hold him fondly in our heart and cherish his memory
I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you’re feeling. I am praying for your peace and comfort
Bobby, I’ll miss you. Thank you for being an amazing friend. I’ll never forget the time we spent in Vegas with Brock, Nick, Luke, and Jared. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Praying for all of you. Bobby was a bright light and we were blessed to know him, we will cherish our memories of him.
My condolences to you all. I know how much you loved Bobby and pray you find peace and comfort knowing he is in the arms of Jesus.
What an extraordinarily handsome, accomplished young man- and what a beautiful memoriam. Obviously Bobby was loved – and he loved others. Our hearts and prayers are with you- Bob, Teresa and all of the extended family.
Jesus you are our rock and our fortress and we need to lean on you today. All of us who love Bobby have been blessed with his smile and wisdom and kindness and so now Lord we ask you to shower Bob and Teresa, as well as all of Bobby’s family and friends with your peace, strength, and powerful presence so we may know in the midst of this you are shining bright. Thank you for all the blessings that Bobby has brought to so many lives in his short life. In Jesus name I pray amen
An amazing young man gone far too soon. I hope the family finds peace. Bobby, Rest in peace.
Bob and Teresa. My heart is breaking for you and your family. I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. We always spoke of loving our babies so fiercely, may Bobby now rest in the strong arms of Jesus. Our love to all of you.
Bobby loved his family and his Jesus, and is now seeing his Jesus face to face. I’m praising God along with you for Bobby’s life and now his new life with his Savior. My prayers for your family and my love to you all.
Bobby was awesome . I always enjoyed being with him , especially golfing because we had similar game, some good ones and a few not so good . But we laughed and had a great time and always some adult beverages. Resting with Jesus now . I love you dear friend.
There are no words i can give to ease your grief. My heart and head cannot comprehend how awful this loss is. I remember your family coming over and our 3 and your 3 hit it off, weirdly i remember this little boy with the big smile laughing. I’m so very sorry for this tragic loss. Sending love and prayers. I would love to give you a hug in person but we are going to be out of town. Again much love and prayers being sent. Such a beautiful soul and person
Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Teresa, Bob and all of your family, my sincere condolences to you. I have no other words, except that my heart is broken for you all. Bobby was such a good one.
Carolyn and I always remember Bobby’s smile, his kind demeanor, his loving soul. Bobby had that special light that surrounds only a few: his is a radiant soul. He chose to use his gifts and talent to help those who couldn’t help themselves. Our prayers are with Bob, Teresa, and the entire Finley family in this time of sorrow.
My heart breaks for you Teresa. I understand that gutteral anguish. Grief is love that has no where to go. Your sweet story of your beloved son’s life is truly beautiful. May you find peace in all the wonderful memories you carry – in that, Bobby will always be with you. I’m here if you need a shoulder. Much love.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Finley clan as we hold on to all our found memories at St. Johns. Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences.
RIP Bobby,
The Proemsey Family
Finley family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Bobby and I were fraternity brothers at Rockhurst, and I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed during those years.
When I look back on college and the years that followed, Bobby is someone who will always stand out in my memories. He had a kind heart, a great sense of humor, and a personality all his own. I am grateful for the many laughs, the friendship, and all the memories we shared as Pike brothers and friends.
Bobby passed far too soon. I know he was deeply loved by his family and by the many people who were fortunate enough to know him. I hope it brings some comfort to know that he made a lasting impression on so many of us who had the privilege of calling him a brother and a friend.
Rest easy, Bobby. Thank you for the memories, the laughs, and your friendship.
I know your faith and the love of your family and many friends will sustain you through these very tough times.
Teresa and Bob & you siblings.
I have no words or thoughts to ease the pain you are going through. Time is a healer and during the coming time I hope you are each blessed by your special times and memories with Bobby. May his memory be a blessing to each of you as you go forward. What a beautiful young man . . . . . . .
A lot of hearts are hurting. So so sorry. Bobby was always smiling on the court.
A lot of hearts are hurting. So so sorry. Bobby was always smiling on the court. Miraculous Peace to all.
Finley Family,
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your precious Bobby. I remember Bobby from our childhood as such a kind, happy, loving brother who was so sweetly protective of his Hannah. The bond your family shares is so special and strong, and I know that he will live on through your love for him. There are no words to ease your pain, put please know you are being lifted up in prayer by the Condon family, and our hearts are with you.