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Robert “Bob” McConnell, 67, of Columbia passed away on Jan. 5th, 2015 surrounded by his family.
A celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia on Friday, January 9th at 11:00 am. Visitation preceding the service will begin at 10am.
Bob was born in Leonard, MO on August 15th, 1947 to Howard and Norma McConnell. He graduated from North Shelby High School, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from the University of Missouri.
In 1969, he married his wife Susan. Together in 1972 they opened & operated McConnell’s Plantland, a greenhouse located just west of Columbia for many years.
Bob was known for his cheerful nature & ready laugh. Over the years, he enjoyed many hobbies including, but certainly not limited to, fishing, gardening, daylilies, rockhounding, playing cards, and baking. Being active in educational organizations like the American Hemerocallis Society & the Central Missouri Rock & Lapidary Club allowed him to connect with many others who shared similar interests. He will be missed by a great many whose paths he crossed.
He is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter Amanda (John), of Lawrence, KS, his daughter Melissa (Ramzie) of Columbia, his father Howard “Frog” McConnell, of Leonard, his brothers Gary (Sandy), of Wexford, PA, Jim (Mary Lu), of Shelbina, his sister Patsy (Steve) Golden, of Edina, three grandchildren (Ethen, Nicole, Hazel), and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma McConnell, and his nephew Daniel McConnell.
Memorials are suggested to an organization of your choosing
Candy Hobbs Stanley says
So sorry to hear that your husband/Dad has passed. Always enjoyed coming to the Plantland to see you all and get our garden supplies. Your Dad was a happy, jolly person to be around. Just losing my Dad in November I know how hard this is for you all.
John & Barbara Wilken says
Sue and family
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing
And so glad we were able to spend some time with him in November at deer season. We will really miss him! Barb & Jay
Bob and Betty Kite says
We were so sorry to read of Bob’s passing in the Columbia newspaper. I remember how pleasant he was to work with on PTA committees at Midway Elementary. We were always greeted with a big smile when visiting the Plantland every spring and summer for gardening plants. I also remember his partiality to eating green gooseberries. Our condolences to all of you during this difficult time.
Sandra and Walter Meyer says
It is with great sadness that I read that “Bob” our friend passed away. We met Bob at Wellaware. Bob’s knowledge of just about anything was so incredible. My heart breaks for the children and his wife. So many friends at wellaware will feel something missing. Again I am so sorry for your loss. I sure will miss the recipes and his laugh.
Debi Sanders says
Dear Sue, You and Bob have brought so much joy to our family through your lovely flower creations and special deliveries. Thank you and bless you. Prayers for everyone. Debi
Tony Beckmann says
Sue and family,
I am so very sorry to hear Bob has passed. I wanted you all to know that he meant a great deal to me, my dad (Jim Beckmann) and mom (Mary Beckmann). I will never forget his laugh or his smile. He will be greatly missed.
Jeanne Murphy says
Dear Melissa and family,
I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s death. I didn’t know him well, but was a frequent customer at the old Plantland in the 1970’s and 1980’s. I remember him as a friendly, happy guy who loved to joke! I loved visiting the place and the amazing variety of interesting plants there. Your dad and his Plantland helped to foster my new interest in plants and gardening, which has grown into a lifelong passion. You are all in my thoughts and prayers today.
Earl & Debera May says
Sue and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We remember with fondness having Bob, you and family as friends and neighbors in the 1970’s and 1980’s. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Earl & Deb May
Larry P. Atterberry says
Susan & Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Bob was a super nice person! I had just seen him a couple weeks ago, I believe it was, at Wellaware & had a nice visit with him.
He will be missed greatly. We will keep all of you in our prayers!
Sincerely,
Larry & Judy
Judy Lay says
My mother-in-law, Margaret Lay, considered Bob McConnell one of her dear friends because of their shared love of gardening. Early after I moved to Fayette in 1977 I learned we always had to stop by McConnell’s Plantland as we went to Columbia. She often invited Mr. McConnell to her country home at Boonesboro to view her flowers.
As she became too old to really care for her 100 rose bushes, he suggested day lilies. Fortunately, she followed his advice and had lovely ones. After she was gone my husband, Bill, and I enjoyed stopping by to visit with Mr. McConnell and to see his wonderful day lilies.
Her country home continues to be a lovely place because her grandson, Jim, and his family now live there. They continue the Margaret Lay tradition of a love of gardening.
We share your sense of loss at this time. Best wishes.
Judy Lay
Merrybeth Beahan says
I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. McConnells Plantland was always one of my favorite places to go.
Louanne (Claussen)Smith says
You have my sympathy. I only knew Bob during his junior year at North Shelby as I was a senior, but he was friendly and cheerful. May God comfort and bless each of you, his family members.
Sincerely, Louanne (Claussen) Smith
Holly Bush says
Sue, I am so sorry to hear Bob is gone. He was one of a kind. You and Bob always made me and Jeffrey feel like family. He has such good memories of looking for frogs in the greenhouses. You and the girls are in our prayers.
Bea Smith says
Dear Sue and Family,
Bob McConnell was my very first Columbia friend! When we moved here from North Dakota on July 5, 1977, we arrived at our new home at twilight. I’m a gardener, and my first reaction was that I needed to get flowers, pronto! The next morning, I talked with a neighbor who told me that I needed to go to McConnell’s Plantland. So I headed out to buy flowers before unpacking a single box, and met Bob. We had a great visit about MU and about plants that thrived in Missouri when being planted in July! My small son and I agreed that, based upon the sample of one, Missourians were very nice people and that we would like it here!
That friendship with you and Bob has continued through the years, and I have always enjoyed having our paths cross.
It seems to me that sadness is amplified when death comes close to the holidays that are supposed to be filled with joy. I know all too well the grief and loneliness that you are feeling now, and I offer your family my heartfelt sympathy.
Bea Smith
Jim Martin says
You have my sympathy to all the family. I will always remember Bob as a friend and teammate on the 1st football team at North Shelby.
Jennifer (Prater) Brandow says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Bob, but I was a dear friend of Susan’s mother (Polly). Polly would tell me how their business was doing and she was very proud of her daughter and Bob.
Brenda says
My Sympathy. Thinking of you, Jim and Dwayne and family. Remember Bob as one of the Leonard boys that came to Hardy’s in Clarence. Sincerely, Brenda Wood
Brenda Wood says
My sincere sympathy.
Kathy and Gary Hughes says
Sue, Amanda and Melissa – our hearts are so saddened at the loss of Bob. From Midway PTA to help with what to plant from Bob and his staff at Plantland to sharing laughs at Little General to the community at large, we have enjoyed knowing Bob and your family. He will leave a hole in the community and our hearts. Love and prayers – Kathy and Gary
Kathy and Gary Hughes says
Sue, Amanda and Melissa – our hearts are so saddened at the loss of Bob. From Midway PTA to his help at Plantland to sharing laughs at Little General to the community at large, he will leave a hole in the community and our hearts. Love and prayers – Kathy and Gary
Kathy and Gary Hughes says
Our hearts are so saddened at the loss of Bob. From Midway PTA to his help at Plantland to sharing laughs at Little General he will leave a hole in the community and our hearts. Love and prayers.
Libby and Greg Robinson says
We are so sorry to hear of Bob’s death. We knew Bob from Well Aware. He always had a smile and a joke. We are so glad we got to know Bob and by talking with him, knowing his family. He will be greatly missed.
Sharon hein says
Just happened to surf the net and came across Bob’s orbit. I always enjoyed him at 4-H and Extension activities. The community will miss him greatly
John and Cindi Ballance says
Our deepest sympathy to all your family. Bob and I were close friends all through grade school at Leonard and North Shelby high school. He will be missed.
Frances Otto says
As a classmate from Leonard and North Shelby, I want to sent my thoughts and prayers for your family. I enjoyed visiting with Bob when he showed his daylilies at Powell Gardens near Kansas City. I often thought of him when I passed through Columbia and saw the McConnell Gardens. Frances Otto
Donna DeLong says
I was so sad to hear of Bob’s death. He had a great impact on my life, I met Bob years ago ago at the greenhouse where I spent many happy hours learning from Bob and buying plants. Then I ran into Bob again at a Rock show and found he also had a great knowledge of my other favorite hobby. Bob was a great person whom left an impression on everyone he met. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at your great loss.