Purcell, Robert “Bob” Ray

Robert “Bob” Purcell passed away peacefully on June 27 at this home, surrounded by his family.   He was just shy of his 94^th birthday.

Bob was born in Anamosa, Iowa on August 7, 1930, to Cora and Ray Purcell.  Living in the family quarters of the Anamosa State Penitentiary where his father was warden of the prison, Bob often played baseball with many of the inmates developing skills in compassion and forgiveness that would carry him through his lifetime. A gifted athlete in multiple sports in high school, Bob received the Juke Honn Memorial Trophy for most outstanding senior athlete and selected for First Team United Press Iowa Conference All-Star Eleven.  Graduating from Anamosa High School in 1948, he enrolled at the University of Dubuque that fall where he began his studies in education and played football, basketball and was on the track and field team. Though his humility and character kept him from talking much about his athletic accomplishments at Dubuque, Bob received the Outstanding Athlete Award in his freshman and senior years, Kiwanis Club Sportsmanship Award, Mercer Free Throw Award, member of the 1^st All Conference Team in football and as Captain-quarterback of the 1948 Championship Football team was inducted into the University of Dubuque Hall of Fame while leading his entire team to that same distinction.  In 1952, Bob enlisted in the US Army, serving during the Korean War and upon discharge, enrolled at the University of Iowa, receiving a Master’s in School Administration in 1955.

Bob’s career in education began as a history teacher and football coach in Jesup, Iowa.  In 1956, the College Community School District in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was established after the consolidation of multiple schools in the metropolitan area.  Prairie High School, a new public high school in the district opened its doors hiring Bob to pioneer and become the first coach of a new varsity football program known as today’s Prairie Hawks. At the same time, Bob continued his passion for teaching as a social studies teacher in the classroom.  In 1962, he became the school principal of Prairie Intermediate, a new junior high opening in the district.

Bob moved his family to Kirkwood, Missouri in 1965, taking a position in the Kirkwood School District as Vice Principal of Nipher Junior High.   Shortly after, Bob moved to Kirkwood High School as Vice Principal (which included discipline) and Director of Athletics.  Mr. Purcell was popular with students and his office door was always open. During this period, it was an emotionally charged time for minority groups across the US and the Kirkwood public school system was not immune to the national anxiety.  Bob was a trusted and well-respected resource for minority students, helping them to successfully navigate the challenges they faced and a reasonable and calm sounding board for the administration, always providing them with honest answers. In 1973 he became Director of Personnel, Transportation, and Buildings and Grounds. Bob remained popular with students even after moving into administration receiving phone calls and letters from students the remainder of his life. Bob retired from the Kirkwood Public School System in 1990.

After retirement, Bob filled his days playing golf, a sport he was passionate about with his wife, Helen taking up the game just so she could spend time with him. In his later years, Bob and his wife Helen enjoyed spending time in her hometown of Batchtown, IL and travelling to the east coast to visit Bob’s daughters and grandchildren in Connecticut and New Hampshire.  Columbia, MO was another frequent destination, spending time with his youngest daughter and grandchild. Spending time with his family was his favorite pastime and he appreciated his two oldest grandchildren and great grandchildren living locally, affording him the opportunity to visit them regularly.

They made Laclede Lutheran Senior Services their home almost 5 years ago, establishing many new friendships with other residents and enjoying the many activities and trips offered in the community. Bob was especially fond of shuffleboard and continued to amaze his opponents with his precision play and ability to win since living with Macular Degeneration for more than 10 years and considered legally blind.

Bob is survived by his cherished wife of 52 years, Helen Wilson Lloyd Purcell, his children; Tracy Neeson (John), Kimberly Purcell (Fraser Wright), Susan Lloyd and daughter-in-law, Kelly Lloyd. He also leaves his treasured grandchildren; John (Mandy), Tracy (Cody), Shane (Cara), MacKenzie (Brendan), Callum and Hope; great grandchildren; Lyla, John Jr and Rowan, with whom he shares a birthday, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his son, John Lloyd and siblings Ernie, Evelyn, and Richard.

A man of principle, Bob believed in personal responsibility and hard work to accomplish whatever goal was in front of him.  He was a beloved individual who touched many lives by his friendship, kindness, compassion, quiet gentle care, dry humor, and wisdom.  He taught his children not so much with what he had to say, but rather how he lived his life.

Bob’s service will be on Saturday, July 6 in the chapel at Laclede Groves – Lutheran Senior Services, 723S Laclede Road, Webster Groves, Missouri, 63119.   Visitation 10:00 a.m., Service 11:00 a.m., Light buffet to follow (all family and friends are welcome).  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to BJC Hospice, P.O Box 790369, St. Louis, MO 63179, or a charity of your choice. Roadside Service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 10:30 am.