Robert Verne Hadley

Robert Verne Hadley, also known as “Daddy Bob” or “The Colonel,” lived a large life and then quietly passed away on February 15, 2025, at the age of 95. A true American patriot, a retired “full bird” Colonel of the United States Army Reserve, a devotee to his entire family, a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas Jayhawks, a geography wizard, an elder in his church, and a master gardener, Daddy Bob loved life and pursued it fully. 

 Born on July 24, 1929, to Lois and Elvin Verne “E.V.” Hadley, Bob grew up in St. Louis with his older sister Ruth and his younger brother Jim. He grew up watching the Cardinals play baseball through a knothole in the outfield fence, and he loved to reminisce about the neighborhood where he grew up, true Americana. 

 His educational journey began at Washington University where he studied for two years before transferring to the University of Kansas following his family's relocation to Wichita. There, he pursued a degree in political science and continued with a master’s program, serving as a graduate research assistant. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity where he held leadership roles at both local and national levels. A natural storyteller, he loved to share tales about growing up in St. Louis with his siblings, as well as his buddies and their antics which included lots of hitchhiking adventures across the country during college. 

While at Washington University, he began reporting and writing for a local St. Louis newspaper. After KU, he began working for the Mississippi Valley Line, a major barge operator on the Mississippi, Ohio and other rivers, writing and editing employee publications. He flew to port cities, took up life on a towboat for a time, then emerged to write and edit. He loved to tell stories about the colorful characters he met on barges and in ports, especially their rough and tumble lifestyle. 

After three years, he took a public relations job at Kaiser Aluminum in Baton Rouge, LA. It was in Baton Rouge that he met his wife Jerryanne Adams. As he often said, “Moving to BR affected my life in many ways. Mainly because I met this tall, beautiful red head who was the society page editor for the Baton Rouge State Times.” Eventually settling in Wichita, Bob and Jerryanne raised their three children, Sally, Anne and Bobby. They were married for 61 years before her death in 2020. Daddy Bob missed her deeply and often shared stories with family about their commitment to each other.

Daddy Bob found his professional niche in the insurance industry. He became a partner at Paul Porter and Associates working with community banks across the state of Kansas and the Midwest, selling credit life insurance. He was a natural salesman and loved traveling around Kansas calling on banks until he retired in 1997.

 It was at KU, with the Korean war looming, that Bob began a lifetime career in the U.S. Army Reserves. As he said, “They were recruiting people who could speak French. I’d had a course in it and could wing a conversation in French and was able to pass the test to be admitted.” Bob went on to retire a “full bird” Colonel. He commanded the 448th Military Intelligence Detachment (Strategic). Rather than military drills once a month, his unit did analytical intelligence work via summer camps at the Pentagon. His unit earned the rare Superior Unit Award and Colonel Hadley was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal. Not given to expressions of emotion, he would tear up when speaking of American soldiers, their commitment and their sacrifice.

Bob was very active in the Wichita community. He served as president of the West Wichita Kiwanis Club, the Retired Professional Business Men’s Club and the local chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. For MOAA, he served on its state council making trips to Washington D.C. to lobby on military matters. He also served as a director of the East Wichita Rotary and as an elder and Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian Church. After retiring from the military, he volunteered for 26 years at McConnell AFB, stepping in wherever help was needed. Recruited by then Congressman Mike Pompeo, Bob served on the local advisory board reviewing applications for students applying to U.S. service academies. He and Jerryanne also became master gardeners in their retirement and Bob was well-known as the “director of traffic control” at the annual tomato festival sponsored by the local master gardeners and Botanica. 

“Daddy Bob,” as he was known by his grandsons, was an avid reader. He read the WSJ every day, without fail, and imparted his knowledge of stocks, bonds and investing to his children and grandchildren. He loved reading about politics and history and visiting historic sites across the country. He was also a geography whiz. During family Trivial Pursuit games any geography question went to Daddy Bob, and he always knew the answer. He credits a final exam in a geography class at KU. As he often recalled, ‘We had to draw a map of the world, complete with countries, capitols, rivers and mountain ranges. I’ll never forget that!” 

He was a die-hard sports fan, devoted to the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas Jayhawks. He fondly remembers sleeping on the sidewalk in St. Louis to be first in line for World Series tickets. As a youngster, Bob and his friends would cut class to watch baseball games through a knothole in the outfield fence. 

Daddy Bob was a character, to say the least. He was very devoted to his family and his “beautiful wife” or “BW” as she was affectionately known to family. He was proud of his military career and a tireless supporter of the country’s military and their sacrifices. He loved to laugh and be surrounded by his family. Daddy Bob loved life and pursued it fully. 

Robert Hadley is survived by his three children: Sally Rogers (David) of Wichita, Anne Bruso (Kris) of Kansas City and Robert V. Hadley, Jr. of Wichita. He leaves behind four grandsons: Jack Rogers, Houston, TX; John Bruso Roeland Park, KS; Will Bruso, Mission Hills, KS; and Sam Bruso, Oxford, OH. He is also survived by his younger brother, James Hadley (Ginger) of Ocala, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and E.V. Hadley and his sister Ruth Wetton.