Dr. Robert W. Kaps, age 78, of St. Louis, Missouri, professor emeritus of Aviation and Flight , passed away January 26, 2021. Born and raised in St. Louis, he attended Cleveland High School and Washington University where he majored in business administration. He went on to earn graduate degrees from Webster University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, receiving his Ph. D in Philosophy from SIUC. He spent over 40 years in the aviation industry. A former executive with Trans World Airlines and later Ozark Airlines, he began his SIUC career in 1981 teaching undergraduate courses in labor relations and finance and graduate-level courses in international aviation and airport administration. He is the 2008 William A. Wheatley Award recipient for Excellence in Education from the University Aviation Association. He is also the 2011 recipient of the E.J. and Mary C. Simon Distinguished Faculty Award.
He was a professor in the Department of Aviation Management and Flight until he retired in 2012. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Donna Kaps (nee Wilke); dear father of Kelly (Jim) Hill, Krista (Mark) Staub & Kerri Kaps; loving grandfather of Katie, Elizabeth, Cameron, Brendan, Maddie, Kaylyn (David) Schulenburg and a dear friend of many. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Brendan’s Buddies Foundation.
Services: Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Monday February 1, 11:30 am until service at 1:30 pm. Interment Sunset Cemetery.
I was shocked to hear of Bob’s passing. My heartfelt condolences and prayers for comfort. Seems not that long ago I sang at your wedding. Blessings and comfort for you and your family. You will be in our prayers.
My sincerest condolences to the Kapps family. Bob was a old friend from h.s. He will be missed by so many. God Bless. Bob Greathouse
To the entire families of Dr . Capps ,
My deepest sympathy to hear the passing of your father, husband and grandfather. The McDaniel -Trulaske family sends love, prayers and strength to you all. May the sun be shining on his face as he now shares his life with our Savior. In Jesus’s name . Amen
Prayers and thoughts to your family at this time.
Cleveland High School Family
Class of 1980
Dr. Kaps, it was always a pleasure seeing you out in Carbondale and when you sponsored the Frat. It was an honor to be someone you took a little extra time to impart wisdom and throw a challenge at. Thanks for being one of the best educators at SIU. The world was a better place because you lived in it. I still listen to NPR ever day and try to take good vacations.
Some people impact your life in ways that has significant ripple effects. That was how Bob made a difference in my life. His humor was infectious, his brilliance freely shared and his kindness was unending. Of Bob and Donna, we often describe them to others as “Just Really Good People!” Those kind of people don’t come around very often and are missed dearly when they are gone.
We wish your family our deepest sympathy. His neighborly friendship will be deeply missed.
Bob and Sherry Habermehl
On behalf of the Cleveland High School Alumni Board, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of this great man. Bob was one of our 2020 Wall of Fame recipients. Due to the pandemic, we weren’t able to formally celebrate this accomplishment with him. Bob was supportive of his alumni and it was always a pleasure to have conversations with him; so knowledgeable, interesting, respectful and fun. He will be missed by so many. Our sincere sympathies go out to your entire family as you mourn his passing.
So sorry to hear of his passing. He impacted a lot of students over the years. Our son being one of the many students he tutored.
Godspeed Dr. Bob!! My favorite classes at SIU were all taught by you ‘92-‘94. I still have the video of the commercial we created for our airline startup. You were one of the few professors that knew how to translate your work experience into an educational one for us. Years later when I was in airline management I often thought of your words. Thank you for the privilege!
My sincere condolences to your family in this time of loss.
Dr Kaps was one of a kind and a Professor who had a unique ability to connect with his students. His experience in the industry was admired by all. I’m grateful to have learned from him and known him. Condolences and best wishes to his family during this time.
Dr. Kaps was my all time favorite teacher. The lessons I learned from him I use still to this day. Some of my fondest memories from SIUC are from his classes and I love to tell those stories to others. I am sorry for your families loss. May he rest in peace.
Class of 2000 SIUC
Our sincere Condolences to you Donna and your entire family. He was a friend to all. I will miss having drinks with Bob at the Elks. At least now my Dad will have someone to party with.
The world is a decidedly less interesting place now. Bob’s departure leaves a large hole in my heart and soul. I already miss my friend, collaborator, mentor, unindicted co-conspirator and second Dad. Donna, Kelly, Krista, Kerri, and all their family members…you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
“Dr. Bob”. “Kaps”. “Hey Kaps”.
Whatever you called Dr. Kaps, he always answered. He always commanded the room. You always looked forward to his response.
Bob Kaps didn’t always claim to understand pilots. Pilots always tried to understand Bob.
I understood Bob Kaps and I loved the man for his passion, for his curiosity and desire to “pass the torch” of knowledge in aviation.
Bob taught many at SIUC far more than anything as routine and mundane as “standard operating procedure” or “regulations”.
Bob taught us to read the room. Bob tried to prep us to survive the room. Bob taught us to win the room (after hours classes).
Dr. Bob Kaps… thank you. Thank you for leaving and indelible Mark on anyone spending their parents money to attend your class… mostly because most of us didn’t qualify for a scholarship.
Thank you for cutting through the Ted tape, pomp AND circumstance in a way only a gentleman could while making sure you remained a vanguard in all areas of collegiate education for those of us lucky enough to know you.
And thank you for all of the one liners.
Damn, I love those one liners.
God bless your family. God bless your souls and God speed Sir!
Dr. Kaps will be remembered and missed by all of the members of the Gateway Alumni Group. President of that organization, he was a firestorm of energy. He was a gentleman in the finest way.
We were so sorry to hear this news. Thinking of you Kelly and your whole family as you grieve this loss.
I am saddened to hear about the passing of my dear professor, mentor, and friend Dr. Bob. I first came to know him back in 2008, while a student and an ingenue in the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity at SIU-C. I was fortunate in that I was able to mingle with Dr. Bob on many occasions outside of the classroom; we had many cocktails together discussing worldly issues at the then Newell House in Carbondale. On one such occasion, we ventured to the Elks lodge in Murphysboro … That is an instance that will be forever be cherished by me! He was a man full of life and with the flair to draw people into him. I love you, Dr. Bob!
Among many fond memories, I will always remember Bob as being the most fun and outrageous at the Wilke family gatherings! This was especially true when playing poker with the other aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bob had a lot of special ways of playing poker. One of them was that each player would hold one of their cards to their forehead, so everyone could see what you had. This kind of poker playing drove Uncle Johnny completely bonkers. Bob and I both belonged to fraternities at Washington University. Most likely a decade separated us. In spite of the differences, I enjoyed the exchange of stories. Bob was the best story teller in the family & I have seldom laughed as hard!
Bob and Donna Kaps were dear friends of my Dad Raymond Cliffe Jr.
Coach Cliffe of Cleveland High. Dad looked forward to the many vacations they took together with the Kaps and other events. I believe Dad’s life was fullest with Bob and Donna in it. Bob was a first class and lovely human being. On behalf of the Cliffe family we extended our deepest condolences to Donna and family.
Respectfully, Steven Cliffe
Condolences to the Kap family;
If this is repeat sorry-not sure if my last post took.
Met Bob through his wife Donna whom I worked with.
People do come into our lives at various times and for various reasons. Bob was one of those individuals am so very glad was able to get to know.
A great man he was.
Continue thoughts and prayers for DONNA and her whole family.
❤️
Such a sad day. I learned so much from Prof Kaps and thought of him often after I graduated. Rest well legend.
I’m so sorry to hear Dr. Kaps passing away. He was my professor, friend, tennis buddy, and recently I have the pleasure of reading his book. But besides all his qualifications, he was an excellent human being, he was caring and warm with all his students. I learned so many things from him, even to read the Wall Street Joirnal.
You will be very missed. Lots of love and blessing to your family my dear Dr. Kaps.
So sorry to hear of Dr. Kaps’s passing. He was my favorite professor at SIU (class of 2008). My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Dr Kaps was the professor at SIU-C Aviation that everyone remembers. He made difficult classes enjoyable even as we toiled over financial crossword puzzles. His practical information came with a story that made you remember it long after the course was over. As a grad student (2002) he encouraged me to learn, research, and co-publish with him. His passion for aviation and belief in his students made me (a woman) believe that I could excel in a career in aviation management (a flyboy establishment). It is my honor to continue mentoring the next generation through practical entertainment. Godspeed Dr Bob.
I’m really late to the funeral… but I want to comment here anyway. Dr. Bob Kaps was one of my favorite instructors. I think he taught me some of the most valuable lessons- one being negotiation. I had gotten pneumonia during his class, and I had to miss a significant amount of classes. In turn, we decided to “negotiate” my grade. Maybe a bit inappropriate but we decided on having a tennis match. I actually lost the game, and I had to buy him a case of beer! Lol! He was going to give me an A for being a good sport and up for the challenge. However, I asked for a B, because I didn’t think it was “fair.” He reminded me that it was fair, because I had the courage to ask AND show -up. I also did a mini research paper on body language that summer in lieu of the missed classes. That research led me to much of my success later in life. I’m just sad that I didn’t get that last chat so he could hear about my family. My body language research sucks with my husband! Lol! Well, I hope this brings a smile to the face of the person reading this. God bless you!
Under His Wings,
Sarah Noel
I just learned of Bob’s passing today and even though it is very belated, I want to offer my condolences to his family. I offer the following to provide a small glimpse into Bob’s life that you and your family might not have known.
I first met Bob in the summer of 1956 at Mount Pleasant Park at the intersection of Dakota St. and Michigan Ave., about three city blocks from Cleveland High School. Each summer Missouri University would send four students to many of the St. Louis City Parks to organize activities and sporting teams for the young children that played in the parks. The MU students were putting together a fast pitch softball team for Mount Pleasant Park and Bob and his friend, Marion Lato, showed up and of course made the team.
Even though it was a fast pitch softball league, the pitchers could not throw very fast including our own. Never the less, after playing out the regular season against the other Southeast St. Louis City Park teams, we won the League Championship. Next, we were scheduled to play for the South St. Louis City Championship at Cherokee Park located at Wyoming St. and Lemp Ave. The Cherokee Park team had a very good pitcher that could throw the ball very fast. Bob encouraged all to swing hard and not worry about hitting the ball. However, only Bob was able to hit this pitcher and during one at bat, he hit a screaming line drive between the left and center fielders that rolled almost to the Lemp House on Demenil Pl., four city blocks away. Unfortunately, his runs were not enough to win the game, but his presence was enough to make us feel like we could.
I just wanted to tell you this story about a short period of time in Bob’s life that provided a memorable and profound influence on the live’s of a group of young boys in the summer of 1956.
Just learned of Bobs passing
My sincere condolences to Donna and the entire Kaps Family
GOD BLESS!!!
Phillip Lotich