University mourns passing of honorary trustee Bob Corbett

The following is a message from Park University President Greg Gunderson, Ph.D.

Dear Park Family,

It saddens me to share that we have lost a dear member of the Park University family. Robert “Bob” Corbett, ’38, passed away on March 31. He was 100.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Park in 1938 and had the original intention of becoming a teacher. After a summer job with City National Bank and Trust Co., he decided to make banking his career. When World War II began, Bob served in the U.S. Army Finance Office of the 86th Infantry Division in the European and Pacific Theatres. After the war ended, he returned to the bank. In 1949, he was appointed assistant cashier and was elected associate vice president in 1954. In 1957, Bob became a founding director and chief executive officer of the Wornall Bank in South Kansas City, Mo., which was purchased in 1973 by United Missouri Bancshares Inc. (now UMB). He retired as chairman emeritus from UMB in 1987 and continued to serve as an advisory director of the south region until 2004.

Bob was active in community and civic affairs as well, and remained enthusiastically engaged with his alma mater over the years. He was a charter member of Park’s Howard Bailey McAfee Heritage Society and served as Alumni Association president from 1952-53. Bob was also named a Distinguished Alumnus Award winner in 1963, served as commencement speaker in 1986 and was a Founders Day honoree in 1998. He served as a member of Park’s Board of Trustees for an entire decade and retired after a two-year term as chair in 1990. Bob was an honorary trustee and a member of the Park University Trustees Society at the time of his death.

In 2010, Bob’s legacy was honored through the naming dedication of the Robert P. and Mary Alice Corbett Stairway, which connects students who live in the Copley Quad residence hall to the academic heart of the Parkville Campus.

Our thoughts remain with Bob’s children Robert and Marcia during this difficult time. We will always remember Bob as a beloved member of the Park family. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial Service Information
Date and Time: Friday, April 6, 3 p.m.
Place: John Knox Village Chapel, 451 NW Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Obituary