Robert L. "Bob" Cordill

Robert "Bob" Loren Cordill, 83, of Shawnee Mission, passed away on April 22, 2024.

Bob was born in Pawnee City, NE to Oliver L. and Hazel M. (Hegenderfer) Cordill. He joined the family having an older sister, Nancy. They later moved to Manhattan, KS where a younger brother, Randy, joined the family.

Bob entered elementary school in Manhattan, then the Cordill family moved to Topeka, KS in 1948. Bob attended Central Park grade school until he came of age to attend Crane Junior High (7th grade through 9th grade). While attending Topeka High School, Bob was a member of the Trojan marching band (playing the trumpet), a member of the cross-country team and the basketball team. He was also a pitcher on the baseball team.

During the summers while in high school, Bob would caddy at the Topeka Country Club and the Shawnee Country Club. That is where he learned to love the game of golf!

His college days were spent at the University of Kansas where he was given an academic scholarship. He lived in Stevenson Hall his freshman year, then his sophomore year, Bob pledged and joined the fraternity Beta Theta Pi.

After graduating from KU with a degree in Physics Engineering, he was hired by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1962 to work in the Engineering Department. Also in 1962, Bon joined the Air Force Reserves – 442nd Troop Carrier Group at Richards Gebauer Air Force Base. After six years, he was discharged in October 1968 with the rank of Master Sergeant in Officer Records.

Bob met Marilyn Cantrell in the fall of 1964. They married June 24, 1966, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Topeka, KS. Later two sons were born in Topeka – Brian and Tod.

In December 1969, Bob was transferred to work for AT&T in New York City. The family lived in Bridgewater Twp., NJ and Bob would commute every working day by Central Jersey railroad and then the “Path” into New York City.

In October 1972, Bob was transferred back with Southwestern Bell to work in St. Louis, MO, and then another move was made in 1982 back to Topeka, where he retired from the phone company in 1991, after almost 30 years.

He enjoyed playing many sports including golf, baseball and basketball, and also tennis and eventually pickleball.
Bob and Marilyn bought a “winter home” in Sun City West, AZ in July 2013 where they’d spend 4 ½ months each year living there.
Bob passed away on Monday, April 22nd near Tuba City, AZ on the drive back home to Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Hazel Cordill, and his sister Nancy Laughlin. Bob is survived by his wife Marilyn, his brother Randy, his two sons Brian and Tod, his daughter-in-law Susan Cordill, and four grandchildren – Austin, Alexis, Harrison and Grace.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 12:00 pm until 1 pm at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66604.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, 1:00 pm at the Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66604.

A committal service will follow the funeral services in Mount Hope Cemetery.

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