George “Bernie” Robare

Photograph of George, obtained from The Kansas City Star.

On May 11th, George Robare, affectionately called “Bernie” by his friends and family, passed away at the age of 61. George was a corrections officer at the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas for 36 years. From Bonner Springs, Kansas, the former Marine was dedicated to working his job at the facility and spreading kindness to everyone around him. He enjoyed bowling and had a great sense of humor that brightened people’s day. He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Susan, and their daughter, Rachel, whose wedding was postponed to May 2021 due to COVID-19. Susan had her last conversation with George on May 2nd, she told the Kansas City Star, where she urged him to “keep fighting so that he could walk [Rachel] down the aisle at her wedding the next year.” 

George is missed dearly by family, friends, and co-workers. Former employees loved working with George and miss his presence at the facility. Kansas governor Laura Kelly commented, “During the thirty-six years that Bernie worked at Lansing, he became a beloved and well-respected member of that staff. He was always known to do more than his fair share.” He loved the work he did and died in service.

George, his wife Susan, and his daughter Rachel, obtained from The Kansas City Star.

When COVID-19 broke out at the Lansing correctional facility — now reported to be the site of the most cases in Kansas — George continued his work with masks. He came down with a fever on April 22nd and was taken to the hospital on April 28th after feeling shortness of breath. He was placed on a ventilator several days later, and passed away soon afterward. Though COVID-19 took his life, George was a survivor through and through, having battled leukemia and other health conditions in his last ten years. 

George was passionate about his work and his family, and he will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

George and Susan, obtained from 41 Action News.

This memorial was written by MOL team member Claire Lee with information from reporting by McKenzie Nelson of 41 Action News, Katie Bernard of The Kansas City Star, WDAF-TV, KSN News Staff, and 41 Action News Staff.