9/3/1968 – 8/12/2026
Lawrence
Robert (Rob) Anthony Mooney, age 57, passed away on August 12th, 2026 surrounded by the people he loved most. Rob never knew a stranger, he was friends with everyone he met. His humor, warmth, and ability to make others feel seen made him unforgettable. Even in serious moments, Rob had a gift for easing tension; he could drop a perfectly timed movie quote or a funny remark that made you laugh even when you didn’t feel like it. That gift stayed with him until the very end, as he continued joking and laughing with his family.
Rob lived life with spontaneity and joy. It wasn’t unusual for him to call his wife on a Friday afternoon and say, “Pack up the kids, we’re going somewhere this weekend.” He embraced adventure, loved the outdoors, and especially cherished time in the mountains. After his heart attack in 2011, he took up mountain biking and fell in love with it. He rode almost every day, sharing the joy of biking with others and forming friendships throughout the cycling community. He was a proud member of both the Lawrence Bicycle Club and the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club.
Rob was loyal to a fault. If you were a true friend to him, he stood by you, cared for you, and showed up when you needed him. He was smart and resourceful, able to look at a problem and see solutions no one else saw. He loved sports and wrote a sports column for a Topeka paper titled “From the Cheap Seats.”
Rob worked many jobs throughout his life, but most recently served as the Director of Transportation for Midland Pace. He wasn’t just an employee, he was a promoter of Midland’s mission. He often told people about the program and kept an eye out for good drivers.
First and foremost, Rob was a Christian. He loved God, his family, and those around him, in that order. He was generous with his time and money, serving faithfully at Heritage Baptist Church for over 20 years as a bus captain and Jr. Church teacher. During that time, he witnessed many children and families come to know the grace of God. In his last few years, he and his family transferred to First Southern Baptist Church, where he deeply appreciated the joy, love and support of the congregation.
Rob loved his family fiercely and worked hard to build a special connection with each of his children. He is survived by his wife, Suzy Mooney (Dilfer); his six children, William “Ace” Butrum, Harrison Cooperider, Kassandra Mann, Rhett Mooney, Charity Mooney, and David Mooney; his five grandchildren, Joeseph, Zakary, Ezekiel, Rowan, and Kayleigh; his five brothers, David, Jim, Mike, Jay, and John; sister, Suzanne, and his mother, Peggy Mooney (Masters).
Rob loved deeply, lived fully, and gave generously. His laughter, loyalty, and faith touched countless lives, and his legacy will continue in the hearts of all who knew him.
Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, at First Southern Baptist Church, 4300 W 6th Street, Lawrence, KS. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 22, 2026, also at the church. Burial will follow at Twin Mounds Cemetery.
For those wishing to help with medical bills and expenses, a GoFundMe has been set up: https://www.gofundme.com/support-robert-mooneys-brain-cancer-fight
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
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