Greenlease Family Emblem/Symbol © D. H. Disney
Welcome to the
Greenlease Family Website Home Page...
Personal commentary between the late Mrs. Virginia P. Greenlease and
Mrs. Alvah M. Fisher
Listen to the special Greenlease Family Podcast at the bottom of this page as narrated by Michael Lear
Family dates and information collaborated and confirmed with Virginia P. Greenlease
prior to her passing away + September 24, 2001. This website originally created in 1995.
A LOVING MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO THE
ROBERT C. GREENLEASE, SR. FAMILY...
This site was created to serve as a living and enduring tribute to the Robert C. Greenlease, Sr. Family of Kansas City. This site will always focus on their individual lives, and will be updated from time to time.
Most of what will be published will be personal and insightful and some information was previously made public at various points in time. This site shall always attempt to honor their memory, and to provide personal reflections and insights into each one of their lives. This site will always be a “loving and ongoing work in progress!” Most of what is published on this site comes from a lifetime of “real time” conversations as a result of very close and personal family relationships and friendships between (the late) Charles W. Fisher and his spouse Alvah M. Fisher, Robert C. Greenlease, Sr. and his spouse Virginia P. Greenlease, and with other members of their families respectively. Virginia personally shared with and gave many photographs, letters, and other personal and private historical family memorabilia spanning many years, and especially throughout the final few years of her life. Close friends helped Virginia to organize her personal family estate sale when her Verona Road Mission Hills, Kansas family home was sold and her close friends personally advised and assisted Virginia in regard to her major gifts to Visitation Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO for the design of the inspiring and beautiful St. Joseph Chapel, and her continued relationship with the Central City School Fund she originally helped initiate with the late Catholic Bishop John Sullivan, a long-time personal friend of Virginia P. Greenlease and Alvah M. Fisher.
Most people, when they do reflect on or have heard of the Greenlease Family in Kansas City, Missouri, will most likely think about the “Bobby Greenlease kidnapping, murder, and huge ransom paid in 1953, or perhaps the famous Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company.” (Obviously, the Greenlease family would have certainly preferred any notoriety created would have been limited only to the Cadillac Company and perhaps their philanthropy and charity works, and completely minus the sad and horrific loss of Robert C. “Bobby” Greenlease, Jr. in 1953). While these particular sad chapters certainly do account for so much of the interest in this family, there are many other relevant and obviously important aspects to each one of the other individuals lives in this wonderful and unique American family.
Greenlease Family Website Home Page...
Personal commentary between the late Mrs. Virginia P. Greenlease and
Mrs. Alvah M. Fisher
Listen to the special Greenlease Family Podcast at the bottom of this page as narrated by Michael Lear
Family dates and information collaborated and confirmed with Virginia P. Greenlease
prior to her passing away + September 24, 2001. This website originally created in 1995.
A LOVING MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO THE
ROBERT C. GREENLEASE, SR. FAMILY...
This site was created to serve as a living and enduring tribute to the Robert C. Greenlease, Sr. Family of Kansas City. This site will always focus on their individual lives, and will be updated from time to time.
Most of what will be published will be personal and insightful and some information was previously made public at various points in time. This site shall always attempt to honor their memory, and to provide personal reflections and insights into each one of their lives. This site will always be a “loving and ongoing work in progress!” Most of what is published on this site comes from a lifetime of “real time” conversations as a result of very close and personal family relationships and friendships between (the late) Charles W. Fisher and his spouse Alvah M. Fisher, Robert C. Greenlease, Sr. and his spouse Virginia P. Greenlease, and with other members of their families respectively. Virginia personally shared with and gave many photographs, letters, and other personal and private historical family memorabilia spanning many years, and especially throughout the final few years of her life. Close friends helped Virginia to organize her personal family estate sale when her Verona Road Mission Hills, Kansas family home was sold and her close friends personally advised and assisted Virginia in regard to her major gifts to Visitation Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO for the design of the inspiring and beautiful St. Joseph Chapel, and her continued relationship with the Central City School Fund she originally helped initiate with the late Catholic Bishop John Sullivan, a long-time personal friend of Virginia P. Greenlease and Alvah M. Fisher.
Most people, when they do reflect on or have heard of the Greenlease Family in Kansas City, Missouri, will most likely think about the “Bobby Greenlease kidnapping, murder, and huge ransom paid in 1953, or perhaps the famous Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company.” (Obviously, the Greenlease family would have certainly preferred any notoriety created would have been limited only to the Cadillac Company and perhaps their philanthropy and charity works, and completely minus the sad and horrific loss of Robert C. “Bobby” Greenlease, Jr. in 1953). While these particular sad chapters certainly do account for so much of the interest in this family, there are many other relevant and obviously important aspects to each one of the other individuals lives in this wonderful and unique American family.
robert c. greenlease, sr., an american original...
Robert C. Greenlease, Sr.
Robert C. Greenlease, Sr. was a man who worked very hard for his entire life. He spent his younger years on the family farm in central Missouri. His parents were Charles and Julia Marie Greenlease. At a very young age he moved with his parents and several siblings to Kansas City, Missouri. Early in life he ventured into several business enterprises, but his keen interest in the new-founded motorized vehicles made such a deep impression, as these new-founded “motorized horseless vehicles” really intrigued him!
Robert studied the working mechanics of the first motor vehicles and he opened an auto repair business near downtown Kansas City, MO. At the age of 21, he even invented an automobile he called the “Kansas City Hummer,” because to him this five passenger motorized vehicle he created and built made a humming sound as it “hummed” along. This venture resulted in only four vehicles being built and the enterprise ended because of its lack of popularity and practicality among people interested in motorized vehicles during that early motor era. However, a new automobile was becoming quite popular in the east and Robert was aware of its growing popularity--this automobile had style, elegance, reliability, and, most importantly, profitability. Cadillac! This motor vehicle really excited him!
Robert studied the working mechanics of the first motor vehicles and he opened an auto repair business near downtown Kansas City, MO. At the age of 21, he even invented an automobile he called the “Kansas City Hummer,” because to him this five passenger motorized vehicle he created and built made a humming sound as it “hummed” along. This venture resulted in only four vehicles being built and the enterprise ended because of its lack of popularity and practicality among people interested in motorized vehicles during that early motor era. However, a new automobile was becoming quite popular in the east and Robert was aware of its growing popularity--this automobile had style, elegance, reliability, and, most importantly, profitability. Cadillac! This motor vehicle really excited him!
Robert C. Greenlease, AMERICAN Cadillac Automobile Pioneer...
He put all of his resources, including most of his personal money, and his fortitude/courage to work, and in 1908 he was able to acquire the first Cadillac franchise west of the Mississippi. Shortly thereafter Cadillac became a part of General Motors. He knew this elegant vehicle would be popular with clients who were seeking the finest and most reliable automobile available. And he was absolutely right! He began selling these Cadillac’s faster than what could be delivered by the manufacturer to his very small showroom. He eventually became one of the largest individual stockholders in General Motors. And at one point in the 1940’s, Robert even “loaned” $1,000,000.00 so the fast growing General Motors Company could expand!
Robert Greenlease then designed and constructed the original Cadillac dealership in 1918 located at McGee Street and Gillham Road just south of downtown in Kansas City, Missouri. The original structure still displays the famous Cadillac signature emblems that are terra-cotta-carved into the upper exterior walls. The dealership was first-class from the elegant showroom and offices to the service and body shops. And throughout the history of what was known as Greenlease Cadillac, the company was very successful in new and pre-owned automobile sales and the service dept. was renowned throughout the Midwest. Robert expanded his dealerships to the point where he sold more Cadillac’s than any other dealerships in the nation. It was really quite stylish and perhaps a bit enviable to have the “by Greenlease” silver emblem affixed to the back of your Cadillac. And he partnered with other entrepreneurs to form Cadillac dealerships. He was the wholesale distributor for Cadillac Automobiles from the Texas panhandle to the Dakotas and from Missouri to Colorado, and even farther west, and he was an actual partner in larger Cadillac dealerships in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Omaha, Topeka, and many other cities. He partnered with Norbert S. O’Neill to form the Greenlease-O’Neill Oldsmobile Company in downtown Kansas City, MO and this also became one of the largest Olds dealers in America. The O’Neill Company continues selling other makes of vehicles to this day from their Overland Park, Kansas locations. In succession, Greenlease Cadillac sold in 1970 and became Major Cadillac, and in 2007 Major Cadillac was sold to Conklin-Fangman Cadillac and is still located at 3200 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Robert was a very generous gentleman to family and friends. His great financial success allowed him the opportunities, and there were many, for him to share his wealth with others, including many worthy philanthropic and charitable entities. He was active in the Gate City Masonic Lodge and Ararat Shrine Temple, both in Kansas City, Missouri, and he generously donated to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Crippled Children. He enjoyed the loyal comrade of close friends in the Royal Order of Jesters Court # 54 where he would meet with them at the President Hotel downtown for lunch and fun every Friday at noon for over thirty years. He would join with his very close and best lifetime Jester and Ararat Shrine Temple friends such as Charles W. Fisher, Frank “Sonny” Newcomer, Jr., George W. Ryan, Sr. and Dr. Ray G. Evans, D. D. S. Robert was an active member in the Rotary Club # 13 in downtown Kansas City, Missouri; one of the first Rotary Clubs in the world! He was also an active member of The Kansas City Club and Hillcrest Country Club, and the Kansas City Country Club in nearby Mission Hills, Kansas. And Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and the Shriner's Hospitals for Crippled Children both were the beneficiary of his generosity for many, many years. If generosity ever had a smile, it could easily have come from the likes of Robert C. Greenlease, as his kind and genuine generosity toward the right things had absolutely no limits. Robert was, (as they would say today), “The real deal!”
Robert Greenlease then designed and constructed the original Cadillac dealership in 1918 located at McGee Street and Gillham Road just south of downtown in Kansas City, Missouri. The original structure still displays the famous Cadillac signature emblems that are terra-cotta-carved into the upper exterior walls. The dealership was first-class from the elegant showroom and offices to the service and body shops. And throughout the history of what was known as Greenlease Cadillac, the company was very successful in new and pre-owned automobile sales and the service dept. was renowned throughout the Midwest. Robert expanded his dealerships to the point where he sold more Cadillac’s than any other dealerships in the nation. It was really quite stylish and perhaps a bit enviable to have the “by Greenlease” silver emblem affixed to the back of your Cadillac. And he partnered with other entrepreneurs to form Cadillac dealerships. He was the wholesale distributor for Cadillac Automobiles from the Texas panhandle to the Dakotas and from Missouri to Colorado, and even farther west, and he was an actual partner in larger Cadillac dealerships in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Omaha, Topeka, and many other cities. He partnered with Norbert S. O’Neill to form the Greenlease-O’Neill Oldsmobile Company in downtown Kansas City, MO and this also became one of the largest Olds dealers in America. The O’Neill Company continues selling other makes of vehicles to this day from their Overland Park, Kansas locations. In succession, Greenlease Cadillac sold in 1970 and became Major Cadillac, and in 2007 Major Cadillac was sold to Conklin-Fangman Cadillac and is still located at 3200 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Robert was a very generous gentleman to family and friends. His great financial success allowed him the opportunities, and there were many, for him to share his wealth with others, including many worthy philanthropic and charitable entities. He was active in the Gate City Masonic Lodge and Ararat Shrine Temple, both in Kansas City, Missouri, and he generously donated to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Crippled Children. He enjoyed the loyal comrade of close friends in the Royal Order of Jesters Court # 54 where he would meet with them at the President Hotel downtown for lunch and fun every Friday at noon for over thirty years. He would join with his very close and best lifetime Jester and Ararat Shrine Temple friends such as Charles W. Fisher, Frank “Sonny” Newcomer, Jr., George W. Ryan, Sr. and Dr. Ray G. Evans, D. D. S. Robert was an active member in the Rotary Club # 13 in downtown Kansas City, Missouri; one of the first Rotary Clubs in the world! He was also an active member of The Kansas City Club and Hillcrest Country Club, and the Kansas City Country Club in nearby Mission Hills, Kansas. And Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and the Shriner's Hospitals for Crippled Children both were the beneficiary of his generosity for many, many years. If generosity ever had a smile, it could easily have come from the likes of Robert C. Greenlease, as his kind and genuine generosity toward the right things had absolutely no limits. Robert was, (as they would say today), “The real deal!”
1908 Cadillac Roadster with Rumble Seat
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1908 Cadillac Model T with Four Seats
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1908 Cadillac Model 30 Limousine
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1908 Cadillac Model S Victoria
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1908 Cadillac Model T Coupe
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1908 Cadillac Model G Limousine
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greenlease FAMILY, quite stylish...
Virginia Greenlease Car
On another page to follow, Robert C. Greenlease, will be honored along with his wife Virginia P. Greenlease, for their most generous and continuing support, (and ever since Robert and Virginia passed away, and across these many years), for Rockhurst University and Rockhurst High School, both longtme Roman Catholic Jesuit Schools in Kansas City, Missouri.
Robert was a stylish man and his dress was impeccable. He wore his men’s fedora’s (hats) that always matched his dapper suits that were tailor-made coming from the Bond Clothing Company in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. He always sported a new luxury Cadillac; why wouldn’t he? He was one of the first really successful Cadillac dealerships in America. Greenlease Cadillac was the first Cadillac dealer West of the Mississippi! Perhaps his favorite Cadillac color was light blue as he often enjoyed a current model, often blue. Robert was one of those most oft-admired American “self-made” men. He was strong in will and firm in his beliefs. He was a conservative and supported the Republican Party and was a close personal friend to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower's brother who was Arthur Einsenhower was a close friend and neighbor to the Greenlease Family.
Robert was a stylish man and his dress was impeccable. He wore his men’s fedora’s (hats) that always matched his dapper suits that were tailor-made coming from the Bond Clothing Company in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. He always sported a new luxury Cadillac; why wouldn’t he? He was one of the first really successful Cadillac dealerships in America. Greenlease Cadillac was the first Cadillac dealer West of the Mississippi! Perhaps his favorite Cadillac color was light blue as he often enjoyed a current model, often blue. Robert was one of those most oft-admired American “self-made” men. He was strong in will and firm in his beliefs. He was a conservative and supported the Republican Party and was a close personal friend to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower's brother who was Arthur Einsenhower was a close friend and neighbor to the Greenlease Family.
Greenlease cadillac was the first cadillac dealer west of the mississippi...
Greenlease Cadillac Kansas City, MO (1953)
As Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company prospered and served more and more clients, so did the fact and the knowledge of the vast Greenlease wealth. And it was this notion of their wealth that caught in the minds of the two notorious and ill-reputed alcoholics who perpetrated the evil deeds against Robert and Virginia, and their entire family, on the morning of September 28, 1953, when the two murderous drunken scoundrels kidnapped and then cold-bloodily murdered six year-old Bobby Greenlease. The irony of their wealth is that this vast wealth provided the means and funding for all of the wonderful philanthropy and charity Robert and Virginia would initiate in the years following the tragic loss of their little Bobby.
So much has been spoken, written, and recorded, all covering this horrible and dastardly event, and this site shall not review more of the details of this tragedy again and at this time. This was a terrible nightmare to have endured, and to have lived through, and in real-time, as did the entire family. There are entire FBI and police files, as well as many other graphic, if not sordid retellings of the 1953 Bobby Greenlease kidnapping, murder, and the huge $600,000.00 ransom paid by the Greenlease Family in their futile attempt to save Bobby from these two cowardly murderers.
Today, on the site of the former Greenlease Cadillac Company, the actual original building has been converted into luxurious and elegant and highly priced private condominiums known as the Greenlease Cadillac Condominiums. This area has become quite trendy and adjoins the Union Hill redevelopment region of the city just south of Hallmark Cards Headquarters. The exterior remains the same with the original Cadillac showroom intact and now serving as a large workout exercise room. Custom terra cotta with the iconic Cadillac emblem still adorns the original building exterior. In 1970 Greenlease Cadillac sold to F. Lee Major, a longtime close friend and business associate, and became known as Major Cadillac. In
1975 the dealership moved from the original location on Gillham Road to 3200 Main Street. In 2007 Major Cadillac sold to Scott and Stuart Conklin and Joe Fangman and became known today as Conklin-Fangman Cadillac. The current entity is still located and has been greatly expanded at the Main Street location in Kansas City, Missouri, and is still a very significant and large Cadillac dealership!
So much has been spoken, written, and recorded, all covering this horrible and dastardly event, and this site shall not review more of the details of this tragedy again and at this time. This was a terrible nightmare to have endured, and to have lived through, and in real-time, as did the entire family. There are entire FBI and police files, as well as many other graphic, if not sordid retellings of the 1953 Bobby Greenlease kidnapping, murder, and the huge $600,000.00 ransom paid by the Greenlease Family in their futile attempt to save Bobby from these two cowardly murderers.
Today, on the site of the former Greenlease Cadillac Company, the actual original building has been converted into luxurious and elegant and highly priced private condominiums known as the Greenlease Cadillac Condominiums. This area has become quite trendy and adjoins the Union Hill redevelopment region of the city just south of Hallmark Cards Headquarters. The exterior remains the same with the original Cadillac showroom intact and now serving as a large workout exercise room. Custom terra cotta with the iconic Cadillac emblem still adorns the original building exterior. In 1970 Greenlease Cadillac sold to F. Lee Major, a longtime close friend and business associate, and became known as Major Cadillac. In
1975 the dealership moved from the original location on Gillham Road to 3200 Main Street. In 2007 Major Cadillac sold to Scott and Stuart Conklin and Joe Fangman and became known today as Conklin-Fangman Cadillac. The current entity is still located and has been greatly expanded at the Main Street location in Kansas City, Missouri, and is still a very significant and large Cadillac dealership!
Bobby greenlease kidnapped and murdered...
Memorial Sign at Greenlease Cadillac (1953)
No one ever imagined or expected that such a tragedy could ever befall any family. And while the sad events surrounding the tragic passing of Robert “Bobby” Greenlease, Jr. became so ingrained in the hearts and minds of so many people, both nationally and worldwide, and outside of the Greenlease Family, still, the family had to do things like making funeral arrangements and planning for the place where their beloved little Bobby would finally be put to rest; things most people encounter at some points in their lives, most often with older family members!
So much attention began to focus on the entire Greenlease Family and the details of the tragedy began to unfold twice daily in The Kansas City Times and The Kansas City Star. (At that time there were two editions of the newspaper delivered in the Kansas City area, morning and evening editions).
Most people locally were anxious to receive their twice daily newspapers to be informed of the latest developments of the unfolding tragedy and all of the intimate details of the Greenlease family. These intimate details surrounding this tragedy also dominated the local and national airwaves.
John Cameron Swayze, the popular NBC-TV national newsman, even came to Kansas City from New York immediately following the kidnapping, and broadcast live for several evenings his daily national news program from outside the Greenlease residence on Verona Road in Mission Hills, Kansas. The national public was really interested in each of the unfolding events, and especially during those first few days and weeks after Bobby was kidnapped from his school. People simply wanted all of the details. In fact, Bobby seemed so entrenched in the hearts and minds of people that he became “Everyone’s little boy!” People were so moved with deep empathy, and finally sympathy, for the entire Greenlease Family, and perhaps even more intensely once the news of Bobby’s passing was revealed.
People were trying to make comparisons between Bobby’s tragedy and the earlier tragedy surrounding the kidnapping and murder of Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr. that had occurred on March 1, 1932. While both events were so very sad and so very tragic, the respective families of both children were naturally so completely overcome with grief, and to the extent that any comparisons made between the two kidnappings were left solely to others not so personally involved. In both instances small children were the targets of the kidnappers. People of good will, both then and now, will never understand and will never accept any of the presumed motives that were finally put forth and established in the end in the courts by these kinds of demented psychopathic child murderers. Bobby’s killers were completely disassociated with the reality of his very humanity!
The pages contained within this site relating to Robert and Virginia best summarizes the spirit by which this site attempts to capture the very generous and loving natures of Robert and Virginia Greenlease. And the pages relating to Bobby will be somewhat longer because of the terrible and sad tragedy that was to befall him. Even though, as indicated earlier, this site will not focus on the finer details relating to Bobby’s untimely passing. Bobby’s siblings: his sister Virginia Sue, and his step-brother Paul, their pages in this site will perhaps be briefer in nature, as sadly, they did not live long or lengthy lives. Yet, both are so much a part of this story, and this site will include them, and once more, relevant details for both are being compiled for inclusion. It cannot ever be said that Robert Greenlease was the least bit complicated, because he was really and genuinely, as they say today, “The real deal!” Even when he started the Central Automobile and Livery Company he was ahead of his time, because he knew this rental car business was ideally suited for people exploring Kansas City’s newly expanded renowned park and boulevard system like Ward Parkway and Meyer Boulevard, and The Paseo and even Cliff Drive, and this enterprise helped many people to experience their first motor drives. Mostly, people who had not yet invested in the purchase of an automobile. He was not an unreasonable man and he always tried to help people whenever possible. Robert was so completely honest. He believed a man’s word and his handshake was his sacred bond. He was a genuine titan in the automobile industry and he never was sidetracked when he began his very long association with Cadillac in 1908, and then merged with General Motors. The first Cadillac he sold was a one-cylinder four-seat model priced at $800 that would go up to 30 miles per hour. He expanded his automobile businesses to cover a huge territory in the United States. He was fiercely loyal to his Cadillac business associates and he allowed people to move forward from within his business operations. In November of 1967, James M. Roche, GM Chairman, and a group of top company executives came to Kansas City to bestow many honors on Robert as the “Senior pioneer” of the company’s 14,000 dealers in the United States. Robert was completely fair and forthright and honest with everyone, and he managed always to resolve disagreements in such a mannerly way. He was always a gentleman, and he always left all entities satisfied, and yet assured of his fair, honest, and very kind treatment.
The tragic loss of his little Bobby left such a profound shadow on Robert, and, of course, he never regretted a single moment he had shared with his beloved son. He was very close to his children. He helped Paul Robert Greenlease (his son from a previous marriage) establish his own Cadillac dealership at 50th and Main Street in Kansas City, known as Paul Greenlease Cadillac, and he was always quite proud of Paul’s great success selling Cadillac’s. Robert always missed his first son Paul who had passed from this life in 1964 at the age of 47 just five years before Robert passed away.
Robert understood the sadness his daughter Virginia Sue endured over the tragic loss of her younger brother Bobby. He was a great comfort for her and she turned to him when she needed his fatherly love and advice. Robert knew that his daughter wanted to find joy and happiness. And perhaps to some extend she attained happiness, but the loss of Bobby seemed to really create a pall over much of her life, and she did not live a long life, as she passed away in 1984 when she was only 43, some fifteen years after Robert had passed away.
The love coming from his beloved wife Virginia always sustained Robert. Both of them lived as a loving team and together they established so many wonderful philanthropy and charitable deeds all coming as a result of their great wealth and their sincere heartfelt desire to help and assist others. Robert and Virginia Greenlease were most certainly two of the most generous people in the circle of philanthropy and charitable giving in the history of Kansas City. Both of them were generous to a fault! Their love for others and each other, and their desire to create so many worthy gifts to charities and other worthy entities are unrivaled anywhere! It is certainly likely the tragedy of Bobby’s loss sparked some of their renowned philanthropy and charitable giving. They both were most generous prior to the loss of Bobby. Both Robert and Virginia continued on the path of generosity for the remainder of each of their respective lives. Literally to the very end of their lives, and even beyond, and to this very day their philanthropy continues!
Virginia’s strong and abiding Roman Catholic Faith inspired Robert and he affirmed her giving to so many Catholic charities. Robert was not a Roman Catholic, (he was a member of the Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, MO), but his life was a testimony to his love for God, and the power of God’s love illuminated very brightly through him, and he never refused anyone who came to him in need of things he could provide, and then he would provide. Robert knows God all right! And God most certainly knows Robert! The following New Testament verse from the Book of James can easy apply to Robert Greenlease: “For just as a body without a Spirit is dead, so also faith without good works is dead.”
James 2:26
So much attention began to focus on the entire Greenlease Family and the details of the tragedy began to unfold twice daily in The Kansas City Times and The Kansas City Star. (At that time there were two editions of the newspaper delivered in the Kansas City area, morning and evening editions).
Most people locally were anxious to receive their twice daily newspapers to be informed of the latest developments of the unfolding tragedy and all of the intimate details of the Greenlease family. These intimate details surrounding this tragedy also dominated the local and national airwaves.
John Cameron Swayze, the popular NBC-TV national newsman, even came to Kansas City from New York immediately following the kidnapping, and broadcast live for several evenings his daily national news program from outside the Greenlease residence on Verona Road in Mission Hills, Kansas. The national public was really interested in each of the unfolding events, and especially during those first few days and weeks after Bobby was kidnapped from his school. People simply wanted all of the details. In fact, Bobby seemed so entrenched in the hearts and minds of people that he became “Everyone’s little boy!” People were so moved with deep empathy, and finally sympathy, for the entire Greenlease Family, and perhaps even more intensely once the news of Bobby’s passing was revealed.
People were trying to make comparisons between Bobby’s tragedy and the earlier tragedy surrounding the kidnapping and murder of Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr. that had occurred on March 1, 1932. While both events were so very sad and so very tragic, the respective families of both children were naturally so completely overcome with grief, and to the extent that any comparisons made between the two kidnappings were left solely to others not so personally involved. In both instances small children were the targets of the kidnappers. People of good will, both then and now, will never understand and will never accept any of the presumed motives that were finally put forth and established in the end in the courts by these kinds of demented psychopathic child murderers. Bobby’s killers were completely disassociated with the reality of his very humanity!
The pages contained within this site relating to Robert and Virginia best summarizes the spirit by which this site attempts to capture the very generous and loving natures of Robert and Virginia Greenlease. And the pages relating to Bobby will be somewhat longer because of the terrible and sad tragedy that was to befall him. Even though, as indicated earlier, this site will not focus on the finer details relating to Bobby’s untimely passing. Bobby’s siblings: his sister Virginia Sue, and his step-brother Paul, their pages in this site will perhaps be briefer in nature, as sadly, they did not live long or lengthy lives. Yet, both are so much a part of this story, and this site will include them, and once more, relevant details for both are being compiled for inclusion. It cannot ever be said that Robert Greenlease was the least bit complicated, because he was really and genuinely, as they say today, “The real deal!” Even when he started the Central Automobile and Livery Company he was ahead of his time, because he knew this rental car business was ideally suited for people exploring Kansas City’s newly expanded renowned park and boulevard system like Ward Parkway and Meyer Boulevard, and The Paseo and even Cliff Drive, and this enterprise helped many people to experience their first motor drives. Mostly, people who had not yet invested in the purchase of an automobile. He was not an unreasonable man and he always tried to help people whenever possible. Robert was so completely honest. He believed a man’s word and his handshake was his sacred bond. He was a genuine titan in the automobile industry and he never was sidetracked when he began his very long association with Cadillac in 1908, and then merged with General Motors. The first Cadillac he sold was a one-cylinder four-seat model priced at $800 that would go up to 30 miles per hour. He expanded his automobile businesses to cover a huge territory in the United States. He was fiercely loyal to his Cadillac business associates and he allowed people to move forward from within his business operations. In November of 1967, James M. Roche, GM Chairman, and a group of top company executives came to Kansas City to bestow many honors on Robert as the “Senior pioneer” of the company’s 14,000 dealers in the United States. Robert was completely fair and forthright and honest with everyone, and he managed always to resolve disagreements in such a mannerly way. He was always a gentleman, and he always left all entities satisfied, and yet assured of his fair, honest, and very kind treatment.
The tragic loss of his little Bobby left such a profound shadow on Robert, and, of course, he never regretted a single moment he had shared with his beloved son. He was very close to his children. He helped Paul Robert Greenlease (his son from a previous marriage) establish his own Cadillac dealership at 50th and Main Street in Kansas City, known as Paul Greenlease Cadillac, and he was always quite proud of Paul’s great success selling Cadillac’s. Robert always missed his first son Paul who had passed from this life in 1964 at the age of 47 just five years before Robert passed away.
Robert understood the sadness his daughter Virginia Sue endured over the tragic loss of her younger brother Bobby. He was a great comfort for her and she turned to him when she needed his fatherly love and advice. Robert knew that his daughter wanted to find joy and happiness. And perhaps to some extend she attained happiness, but the loss of Bobby seemed to really create a pall over much of her life, and she did not live a long life, as she passed away in 1984 when she was only 43, some fifteen years after Robert had passed away.
The love coming from his beloved wife Virginia always sustained Robert. Both of them lived as a loving team and together they established so many wonderful philanthropy and charitable deeds all coming as a result of their great wealth and their sincere heartfelt desire to help and assist others. Robert and Virginia Greenlease were most certainly two of the most generous people in the circle of philanthropy and charitable giving in the history of Kansas City. Both of them were generous to a fault! Their love for others and each other, and their desire to create so many worthy gifts to charities and other worthy entities are unrivaled anywhere! It is certainly likely the tragedy of Bobby’s loss sparked some of their renowned philanthropy and charitable giving. They both were most generous prior to the loss of Bobby. Both Robert and Virginia continued on the path of generosity for the remainder of each of their respective lives. Literally to the very end of their lives, and even beyond, and to this very day their philanthropy continues!
Virginia’s strong and abiding Roman Catholic Faith inspired Robert and he affirmed her giving to so many Catholic charities. Robert was not a Roman Catholic, (he was a member of the Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, MO), but his life was a testimony to his love for God, and the power of God’s love illuminated very brightly through him, and he never refused anyone who came to him in need of things he could provide, and then he would provide. Robert knows God all right! And God most certainly knows Robert! The following New Testament verse from the Book of James can easy apply to Robert Greenlease: “For just as a body without a Spirit is dead, so also faith without good works is dead.”
James 2:26
The greenlease family: "always such an active and giving family..."
Entry Street to Greenlease Home (1953)
Robert C. Greenlease was the charter member of the then newly formed Rockhurst College (now Rockhurst University), Board of Regents, founded in 1956, and a 30-year member of the Rockhurst College inclusive Honorary Directors Association. Following the tragic loss of Bobby, Robert became involved with the education of boys. He financed the education of several young men and of course, (as indicated on other pages), he contributed quite substantially to both Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College for the remainder of his life.
There will always be more to be said and likely will be said about the life of the late Robert C. Greenlease. In the future this site shall continue to reveal even more actual stories of his remarkable family and his successful business life and more will be recalled of his astounding desire to always be generous with his wealth. History will likely judge Robert very kindly. This site confirms what friends and family know of his kindness and his generosity.
Robert C. Greenlease, Sr. passed from this life on September 17, 1969 in his home on Verona Road in Mission Hills, Kansas. He was 87. His fitting funeral service tribute was conducted in the D. W. Newcomer’s Sons Stine & McClure Funeral Home Chapel located at 3235 Gillham Plaza, exactly three blocks south of his Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company on Gillham Road. Dr. Lawrence W. Bash, Pastor of the Country Club Christian Church officiated, along with the Rev. Maurice Van Ackeren, S. J., President of Rockhurst College. Robert was entombed in the same crypt room in the Forest Hill Abbey Mausoleum in Forest Hill Cemetery on Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri where his beloved son Bobby had been laid to rest in 1953, and where his beloved wife Virginia and beloved daughter Virginia Sue would, in later years, also be entombed. His parents (Charles and Julia Marie Greenlease), and some other members of his family are interred in the historic Elmwood Cemetery on Truman Road and Van Brunt Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri.
© This Entire site
There will always be more to be said and likely will be said about the life of the late Robert C. Greenlease. In the future this site shall continue to reveal even more actual stories of his remarkable family and his successful business life and more will be recalled of his astounding desire to always be generous with his wealth. History will likely judge Robert very kindly. This site confirms what friends and family know of his kindness and his generosity.
Robert C. Greenlease, Sr. passed from this life on September 17, 1969 in his home on Verona Road in Mission Hills, Kansas. He was 87. His fitting funeral service tribute was conducted in the D. W. Newcomer’s Sons Stine & McClure Funeral Home Chapel located at 3235 Gillham Plaza, exactly three blocks south of his Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company on Gillham Road. Dr. Lawrence W. Bash, Pastor of the Country Club Christian Church officiated, along with the Rev. Maurice Van Ackeren, S. J., President of Rockhurst College. Robert was entombed in the same crypt room in the Forest Hill Abbey Mausoleum in Forest Hill Cemetery on Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri where his beloved son Bobby had been laid to rest in 1953, and where his beloved wife Virginia and beloved daughter Virginia Sue would, in later years, also be entombed. His parents (Charles and Julia Marie Greenlease), and some other members of his family are interred in the historic Elmwood Cemetery on Truman Road and Van Brunt Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri.
© This Entire site
