Robert Lee Green, 87, of Springfield, MO passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. He was born to Earl and Genetta (Prosser) Green on December 20, 1938 in Higginsville, MO.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Carol Harmon, on August 9, 1957 in Warrensburg, MO, the young couple embarked on a long full life always holding hands along the way.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, teacher, landlord, world traveler, neighbor, gardener, baker and problem solver, Bob’s absence has created a giant hole in all the aspects of life that he was a part of. The planet became quieter the day he left, losing someone with vast knowledge, experience, wisdom, intelligence and love.

He graduated from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in 1964, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with an emphasis in Industrial Arts, going on to earn a Master’s degree in Secondary School Administration from the University of Missouri in 1966. Between 1963 and 1969, he was an Industrial Arts teacher, counselor, and/or principal in Hurley, Lamar, Alba, and Sarcoxie before landing a teaching job in the Springfield school district.

In 1969, the couple, along with their four children, moved to Springfield where he taught Industrial Arts at Glendale High School. Two years later he joined the original faculty at Kickapoo High School, where he finished his career teaching Industrial Arts. Bob retired in 1993 after completing 30 years in public education.

Meanwhile, in the late 70s the couple began acquiring rental properties and built a thriving business, at one time having as many as 65 rental units. The couple managed the properties themselves with Bob doing most of the maintenance and repairs for much of the time. He was still managing nine rental properties at the time of his death.

Bob was a life-long learner, loving science and history. He was also a life-long teacher, loving to explain how things worked. Bob could fix anything and especially enjoyed fixing things for his fellow faculty members while teaching. He enjoyed traveling, and he and Carol traveled to several countries in Europe, Mexico, Egypt, Ireland and several Caribbean islands. Bob particularly enjoyed cruises. He was a great cook and baker, his made-from-scratch cake was famous with friends and family. Bob was particularly talented at growing tomatoes, always planting too many. But the secret was that he loved sharing them with family, friends and neighbors. This year after spending all winter perfecting his scheme, he proudly figured out how to foil the squirrels that got into his raised tomato beds.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings Lavana, Earl, Janice and Frank.

Bob is survived by his wife of almost 69 years Carol, his four children Mary, Michael, Michelle and Mark, seven grandchildren Bobby, Vesta, Marshall, Aaron, Rhiannon, Hannah and Blake and seven great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 9-10 AM on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte, 4500 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, MO 65804 with funeral services to follow at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made in his name to St. Jude’s, either online or to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. https://www.stjude.org/