Robert K. Voss

August 11, 1949 – May 27, 2022

It is hard to put the life of a man like Rob Voss into a short narrative.  Much like the stories he told, Rob’s life was full and purposeful.  On Friday, May 27, at the age of 72, Robert Kent Voss of Rogersville, MO went to Heaven.  He passed peacefully in his home with his family by his side.  Rob was born on August 11, 1949, in Springfield, MO, just minutes before his twin brother was born on August 12, to Robert and Marian Voss. He was a proud graduate of Glendale High School, class of 1967, and attended Drury University earning a degree in Business Administration and Management in 1971, and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

Rob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marian Voss, and his three sisters, Patricia (Voss) Barber, Pamela (Voss) Trammell, and Nancy Voss.  He is survived by his twin brother, Randy Voss of Springfield, MO, and three daughters, Sondra Puorro of Dallas, TX, Nici Flinn of Ozark, MO, and Hannah Voss of Springfield, MO, two “sons-in-love” whom he considered his own, Tom Puorro and Jared Flinn; and six grandchildren he adored, Simon, Jack and Sadie Puorro of Dallas, TX and Maggie, Thatcher, and Cotton Flinn of Ozark, MO.

Rob shared a love of golf with his twin brother, Randy.  The twins had a dream to play the 50 best golf courses in the world. Rob played at least half of them and had a story to go along with each one.  Rob was known to relax by washing cars, ironing clothes, and mowing lawns. For a man who could never sit still, he would watch golf for hours, turning to the news on commercial breaks.  Rob loved his daughters and grandchildren and spoke often of how proud he was.  He was a brilliant and strong man but would weep when he’d hug his family members.

Rob had a distinguished calling to the retail world. A native of Springfield, his career began with local companies, Town & County, The Wine Center, and Keltner Enterprises, the latter of which moved him to California for a short time.  After returning to Springfield he identified an opportunity to sell automotive supplies to, at the time, a small retailer out of Bentonville, AR called Wal-Mart.  In 1975 Rob was persuaded to join Wal-Mart and moved to Bentonville. Rob was hired to run Northwest Arkansas Distributing Company (NADCO) for the young retail outlet. In the early 1980s, Sam Walton asked Rob to go on a secret mission to scout out a wholesale retail concept called Price Club, which is now Costco.  Rob was one of the four “mavericks” to launch Sam’s Wholesale Clubs and opened the first club in 1983.  It was the pride of Rob’s career.  He was born to be in retail and was a merchant through and through.

A Saturday with Rob for his daughters usually included Wal-Mart’s Saturday morning meetings or touring a Club.  Rob loved to play a game where he could tell you the wholesale and retail price of an item without looking at the price tag, and he was usually right.  In 1989 Rob left Bentonville to work for Staples in Boston, MA.  For several years Rob’s career took him to various cities and companies as an executive of merchandising including Grandpa’s in St. Louis, MO, Dollar General in Nashville, TN, and later Priceline.com in Weston, CT.  He returned to Sam’s Club in 1995 as senior vice president of merchandising, and in 1996, after being persuaded by his executive assistant to get his company physical completed, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.  This would add a new trajectory to Rob’s life, sending him on a spiritual journey to know Jesus Christ, and a new opportunity to influence many people with the wisdom of his faith and his knowledge of prostate cancer.

Rob loved living in The Ozarks, especially during autumn, and moved back to the Springfield area several years ago.  He purchased a little land on Table Rock Lake and felt the calling to build “a little family chapel.”  Rob didn’t do anything small and the chapel became Integrity Hills, Rob’s most prized accomplishment.  He loved Integrity Hills more than any other place and relished entertaining weddings and guests.

During his 25 years with prostate cancer, he served on the board of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (formerly CAPCure) and dedicated time to counseling men early in their diagnosis.  Rob knew more about Prostate Cancer, treatments, and clinical trials than almost anyone and was quick to share his knowledge and wisdom with other men.  The family wishes to extend special acknowledgment to the Prostate Cancer Foundation for engaging him early in his diagnosis, and to Fox Packaging for their dedication and support of Rob’s health journey.

Rob’s mentor, Sam Walton, wrote of him, “he was always swimming against the current more than he was going with it,” and Rob lived up to that description.  Rob was never short on advice, from the boardroom to the golf course.  He filled a room with his enthusiastic and passionate personality, up to the moment he passed from this life to the next one.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the CoxHealth Foundation to benefit the Prostate Cancer Fund, founded by Rob.  He created the fund to advocate for men diagnosed with prostate cancer who might not have the funds, or knowledge, needed to face their diagnosis.  https://www.coxhealthfoundation.com/to-give/donate-now/

The family encourages friends of Rob to share stories and photos at www.robvoss.life.

Rob was an enthusiastic host and loved to gather people around good food and wine.  Please join us for a celebration of life at the Chapel at Integrity Hills on Monday, June 6, 2022, at 1:00 PM, followed by an opportunity to gather as friends and fellowship in The Stables at Integrity Hills.  Integrity Hills is located at 280 Integrity Hills Drive, Ridgedale, MO 65739.

“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” James 1: 2- 4