Robert J. ‘Bob’ Lansing
Robert J. ‘Bob’ Lansing, age 73, of Clarence, MO, formerly of Quincy, IL, died on Friday, September 1, 2023. He was born on October 31, 1949 in Quincy, IL the son of Donald & Helen (Frese) Lansing.
During his life Bob Lansing was many different things to a lot of different people. He was a Hell raising youth, a drag racing teenager, a medic in Vietnam, a husband, a father, a best friend to many, a highly successful businessman and a legend, but the role he cherished the most was a recently acquired title. Above all, he loved being a Grandfather and of all his hard earned accolades, he was most proud of the simplest titles, “Grandpa Bob, GranBob, Grandpa, and most befitting ‘Ram-Bob”.
In 1970 Bob was drafted into the Army and served 11 long months as a medic on the front lines. During his time in Vietnam, he was involved in some of the grisliest battles in places like Khe Sanh and Da Nang. He was wounded in Vietnam, and med-evacked to Japan. After healing up, Bob proceeded to take an unsanctioned walkabout from the VA Hospital, returning two weeks later, wearing only a Japanese Kimono and his signature smirk.
Upon returning stateside, Bob extended his term of service, working as an Army nurse at Fort Sheridan and continuing to live his colorful life while bunking in Al Capone’s radio tower. Bob also attempted to reacquire all the Vietnamese weed he had mailed home during his deployment, only to find it had been long ago smoked by his brother and buddies. After forgiving Nick, he went on a brief road trip to clear his head before settling back in Quincy to finish his master’s degree in Sociology at QU. Bob then went on to start the building trades program at Chaddock.
It was during this time, and in his typical, “no balls no blue chips” manner that he somehow convinced Marcia Doht to marry him. He finally won her over with his green plaid bell-bottoms, a green sweater vest, and taking her to see “The Way We Were.” The two of them moved to Galesburg where Bob taught Building Trades. He quickly realized that teaching wasn’t his permanent path and returned to Quincy finding his groove building homes and developing subdivisions. However, Bob never strayed far from teaching, he mentored many successful home builders, most of whom still build in the Quincy area today. His gritty work ethic and dreamer vision permanently transformed the landscape of Quincy.
In the late 90’s Bob took on a second career and became an owner of Merchants Wholesale.
Like all things, Bob dove in headfirst and learned the business the hard way, from the ground up. Through Bob’s hard work and dedication Merchants soon grew to become a model of efficiency and was eventually acquired by AMCON Distributing.
After the sale of Merchants, Bob went on to try his hand at a number of different businesses and real estate endeavors, including Herbal Remedies, the first Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Quincy. While, “Business Bob” never fully retired, in recent years he was beginning to refocus on the things he truly enjoyed. Hunting with his friends, trips with his grandchildren, planting food plots on the farms, lunch dates with his daughter Alex, and shooting the bull with anyone who would listen.
The Legend of Bob is hard to sum up on a piece of paper. It’s better told through the hole his passing has left in so many hearts. He will be missed by many and loved by most. Bob lived his life knowing that in the end, “all you have left is the memories.”
Bob is survived by:
The mother of his children: Marcia Lansing
His children: Luke Lansing (Rebecca) of Windsor, CO; Jamie Philbeck (George) of Timnath, CO; Sarah Hoffman (Drew) of Parkville, MO and Alexis Lansing of Quincy.
Grandchildren: Max Lansing, Hank Lansing, Alex Cameron, Robert ‘Tito’ Philbeck, James ‘Bear’ Philbeck, Dylan Hoffman, and William Hoffman.
Bob’s Siblings: Ken Lansing (Norma), Nick Lansing (Carla), Chuck Lansing (Lori) and Teri Moews (Mike).
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Celebration of Bob’s life held immediately afterward at the Twin Oaks Club.
In Lieu of flowers please email your favorite Bob story to bobnoxious49@gmail.com because if the Legend of Bob isn’t written down the grand kids are never going to believe it.
The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful man.
I met Bob when I was 21. I remember he could be a strict employer with high expectations. He helped mentor me in construction and in life sometimes. He helped a lot of people out throughout the years in many different ways.
We had respect for each other. You’ll be missed! Rest in peace. Love ❤️ to your family
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
My thoughts and prays to all the Lansing family. I met Bob and his family in early 90’s with my husband Stephen . A wonderful family so gracious and kind to all of us. Hugs and prays!
Mari Tyler and family
I met Bob when I started working at T & C Bank for Louie. I always looked forward to seeing him because I never knew what he would have to say. Great guy who touched alot of people’s lives in many ways. My prayers to the family.
A man with such a BIG personality leaves an equally big hole in the hearts of those he leaves behind. Marcia, Luke, Jamie, Sarah, and Alex, I will keep all of you in my prayers as you say goodbye.
I rented land for farming in Marion n Shelby co for 20t yrs always got along great with him first time I meet him after farming his land for 15 yrs sending rent to a P.O. Box n Quincy I was planting corn on his farm and this Lincoln Navagator come racing across the feild drive n across where I had already planted Guy gets out and says are you Jason Plunkett and I said well you had better damn well be Bob Lansing lol we got along great I respected Bob he respected me great guy wish more people lived life like he did Go rest Bob
So sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts are with the Lansing family. Our two families go way back!
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for everyone
Bob- A good man but was strict about his business and wanted it done like he wanted it and I adapted to it working for Bob for the Apartments above the post office and was a custodian then a maintenance man for Bob then I helped him even to fill up the Apartments which Bob even gave me my Maintenance office he will be missed and always had a job to crack me up even when I wasn’t trying to .
Having grown up in the circle of our parents’ friendship, I knew Bobby from the beginning of our childhoods. His dad was my godfather and my dad’s lifelong friend. We often spent Saturday evenings together with our siblings while our parents played poker, and we attended many picnics and family gatherings.
RIP Bob.
My heart goes out to the Lansing family. So sorry for your loss.
Marcia, My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.
Bob was one of my favorite guests.
No matter the day I was having, his quick wits always made me smile. An amazing man with a warm soul. I’m praying for the Lansing family with the full capacity of my heart.
Marcia, another great loss for you. Sending prayers for you and your family. Bob was bigger than life and will not be forgotten.
I was a high school classmate of Bob’s. Our sons shared soccer fields on opposing teams. Bob threw his “full throated” support when cheering for his son, sometimes in technicolor. You always knew where Bob stood in all aspects of life! I’m sure the Good Lord welcomed Bob into the eternal hunting grounds of heaven!
My condolences to and prayers for the family!
Dear family,.
I remember the whole family from St. Rose parish. The family home was across from our rectory and Bob went to school with my sister Linda and his brothers with my siblings.
A good family to know then, i have not seen any since ive been gone, but find memories of them all.
My God have mercy on his soul and for his journey home.
Geers siblings
We knew Bob for many years. He held a special place in our lives. So sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
This is ONE of the most interesting and beautiful obituaries I’ve read. It sounds like his life was well lived but such a sad and shocking end. So sorry .
I am so sorry, for your loss. Thinking of you.
Luke, I am so very sorry. I know you will miss him terribly. May God wrap his arms around you and comfort you at this time of sorrow.