Robert C. "Bobby" Greenlease, Jr.
Robert C. "Bobby" Greenlease, Jr.
What can possibly be written and recorded about the life of Robert C. “Bobby” Greenlease, Jr. that hasn’t been written and recorded previously, and in so many languages, and with so many interpretations? Actually, quite a lot, and especially when coming directly from his Mother’s own life perspective!
Bobby's name gained such notoriety, and not because he was the beloved son of two of the most prominent people in Kansas City. Not because he was an exceptional student in academia. Not because he won recognition for being so helpful to an elderly man. And not because he could recite more verses in The Holy Bible than anyone in his class at school. None of these acknowledgments qualified him for the national and international recognition that would befall him at the age of six years, seven months and 25 days.
The events that unfolded late on the morning of September 28, 1953 would forever alter his young life and the lives of his Father and Mother and sister and brother and the other members of his family. And henceforth, this young and wonderful and beloved son and grandson and brother and cousin, would be known to the nation and the world simply as “Bobby Greenlease.” From the moment he was born on February 3,1947 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, clearly and truly, he was the adorable and beloved son of Robert and Virginia Greenlease, and his parents immediately and henceforth always called him “Bobby!”
Bobby Greenlease always loved dogs and he was the master of a dog almost from the moment he arrived home following his birth. His dad brought him a Poodle puppy when he was an infant. He played with and loved his dog all of his short-lived life and he learned to care for his two dogs, (when he was five he was given another dog), from the time he took his first steps and spoke his first words. And Bobby also had a Parrot named "Polly" that he loved to talk and even sing to. When Polly talked back, Bobby was always so overly thrilled that he had taught her to talk!
His very happy and proud parents did everything imaginable for him and he was afforded every wholesome thing he could ever want or wish for. His Father was a multi-millionaire and so luxurious toys and extreme material goods were never any concern to him; since this was a part of the lifestyle easily provided for Bobby and the entire family.
When Bobby was five his dad surprised him on his birthday with his own mini Cadillac car he had had custom made by General Motors, the very first of its kind, anywhere. Bobby would drive his little Cadillac up and down the long driveways and in the huge garages at his home. Just like dad and mom; he had his own Cadillac; blue at that!
The most important traits his parents really wanted to instill in Bobby and his siblings as well, were love, kindness, generosity, and a deep faith in God. Bobby learned about Jesus Christ from the earliest time in his life when he was also to learn to pronounce words clearly and to relate to his parents and his sister and brother. Clearly, God was always known to Bobby, and in later years this reality certainly brought great comfort and solace, and hope to his family. He loved to go to Sunday School and to Holy Catholic Mass. He attended St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in nearby Roeland Park, Kansas each Sunday, and he learned to love The Holy Bible, and to relate to nature, and to especially love animals, and to be compassionate and sharing toward all other people. Bobby was a fine and well-balanced youngster, to be certain! He was filled with life and pep and he was such a happy little boy; excited about spending time with his family and friends. His days were filled with new adventures and so many chances to make new friends. He was the one to meet any new neighbors; especially those with children his age.
When he was five, he had found an injured bird in his yard, and he wanted to “help make it fly again.” Sadly, this bird passed away and Bobby was quite sad and unhappy. He then placed the bird in a small box and had a little funeral and recited a St. Francis Prayer, and then Bobby and his Dad interred the bird in a beautiful rose garden behind his home overlooking the Indian Creek running behind his home. Virginia explained to Bobby that this bird was “now in Heaven and was no longer injured and would one day fly again with all of God’s beautiful birds.” He really understood what he was being told and this comforted him. And so he was happy and joyful again! He kept his outside bird feeder filled with corn and seeds and he enjoyed the other wildlife running throughout his yard. He even regularly placed apples and corn outside on a huge tree stump for the occasional deer and raccoon, and many squirrels and chip monks coming near his home. Robert always made sure there would be plenty of apples and corn and seeds for Bobby’s regular wild animal feeding rituals.
When Bobby was five years of age, he was enrolled in the French Institute of Notre Dame de Sion Catholic School located in the beautiful Hyde Park District in midtown Kansas City, Missouri. This school was a very traditional Catholic School run by the French Order of Sisters of Sion, and Bobby really loved to attend classes. Bobby particularly liked spelling and arithmetic and especially did he like the times visitors would bring animals for the students to touch and interact with. And he liked to go to the Chapel for Holy Mass and prayer time. Bobby was learning about the Saints and he recited poems and stories he learned to enjoy from the Nuns who were his teachers at the school. Bobby was an exceptional and bright little boy and he was “all boy” and never can it be said that Bobby Greenlease was a sissy! While he was gentle and even “sweet,” (in his mom’s words), for a six year old boy, he still liked to climb trees, and to play softball, croquet, and play and sled in the snow, and he watched for tadpoles in the shallow Indian Creek that flowed alongside Indian Lane Road, that ran through the base of the property alongside his home on the West, and across from the Kansas City Country Club and at the base of the hill from where he lived in Mission Hills, Kansas.
Bobby's name gained such notoriety, and not because he was the beloved son of two of the most prominent people in Kansas City. Not because he was an exceptional student in academia. Not because he won recognition for being so helpful to an elderly man. And not because he could recite more verses in The Holy Bible than anyone in his class at school. None of these acknowledgments qualified him for the national and international recognition that would befall him at the age of six years, seven months and 25 days.
The events that unfolded late on the morning of September 28, 1953 would forever alter his young life and the lives of his Father and Mother and sister and brother and the other members of his family. And henceforth, this young and wonderful and beloved son and grandson and brother and cousin, would be known to the nation and the world simply as “Bobby Greenlease.” From the moment he was born on February 3,1947 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, clearly and truly, he was the adorable and beloved son of Robert and Virginia Greenlease, and his parents immediately and henceforth always called him “Bobby!”
Bobby Greenlease always loved dogs and he was the master of a dog almost from the moment he arrived home following his birth. His dad brought him a Poodle puppy when he was an infant. He played with and loved his dog all of his short-lived life and he learned to care for his two dogs, (when he was five he was given another dog), from the time he took his first steps and spoke his first words. And Bobby also had a Parrot named "Polly" that he loved to talk and even sing to. When Polly talked back, Bobby was always so overly thrilled that he had taught her to talk!
His very happy and proud parents did everything imaginable for him and he was afforded every wholesome thing he could ever want or wish for. His Father was a multi-millionaire and so luxurious toys and extreme material goods were never any concern to him; since this was a part of the lifestyle easily provided for Bobby and the entire family.
When Bobby was five his dad surprised him on his birthday with his own mini Cadillac car he had had custom made by General Motors, the very first of its kind, anywhere. Bobby would drive his little Cadillac up and down the long driveways and in the huge garages at his home. Just like dad and mom; he had his own Cadillac; blue at that!
The most important traits his parents really wanted to instill in Bobby and his siblings as well, were love, kindness, generosity, and a deep faith in God. Bobby learned about Jesus Christ from the earliest time in his life when he was also to learn to pronounce words clearly and to relate to his parents and his sister and brother. Clearly, God was always known to Bobby, and in later years this reality certainly brought great comfort and solace, and hope to his family. He loved to go to Sunday School and to Holy Catholic Mass. He attended St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in nearby Roeland Park, Kansas each Sunday, and he learned to love The Holy Bible, and to relate to nature, and to especially love animals, and to be compassionate and sharing toward all other people. Bobby was a fine and well-balanced youngster, to be certain! He was filled with life and pep and he was such a happy little boy; excited about spending time with his family and friends. His days were filled with new adventures and so many chances to make new friends. He was the one to meet any new neighbors; especially those with children his age.
When he was five, he had found an injured bird in his yard, and he wanted to “help make it fly again.” Sadly, this bird passed away and Bobby was quite sad and unhappy. He then placed the bird in a small box and had a little funeral and recited a St. Francis Prayer, and then Bobby and his Dad interred the bird in a beautiful rose garden behind his home overlooking the Indian Creek running behind his home. Virginia explained to Bobby that this bird was “now in Heaven and was no longer injured and would one day fly again with all of God’s beautiful birds.” He really understood what he was being told and this comforted him. And so he was happy and joyful again! He kept his outside bird feeder filled with corn and seeds and he enjoyed the other wildlife running throughout his yard. He even regularly placed apples and corn outside on a huge tree stump for the occasional deer and raccoon, and many squirrels and chip monks coming near his home. Robert always made sure there would be plenty of apples and corn and seeds for Bobby’s regular wild animal feeding rituals.
When Bobby was five years of age, he was enrolled in the French Institute of Notre Dame de Sion Catholic School located in the beautiful Hyde Park District in midtown Kansas City, Missouri. This school was a very traditional Catholic School run by the French Order of Sisters of Sion, and Bobby really loved to attend classes. Bobby particularly liked spelling and arithmetic and especially did he like the times visitors would bring animals for the students to touch and interact with. And he liked to go to the Chapel for Holy Mass and prayer time. Bobby was learning about the Saints and he recited poems and stories he learned to enjoy from the Nuns who were his teachers at the school. Bobby was an exceptional and bright little boy and he was “all boy” and never can it be said that Bobby Greenlease was a sissy! While he was gentle and even “sweet,” (in his mom’s words), for a six year old boy, he still liked to climb trees, and to play softball, croquet, and play and sled in the snow, and he watched for tadpoles in the shallow Indian Creek that flowed alongside Indian Lane Road, that ran through the base of the property alongside his home on the West, and across from the Kansas City Country Club and at the base of the hill from where he lived in Mission Hills, Kansas.
Bobby loved life and he loved to play and attend school...
Sion School 1953
One of Bobby’s really fun times was to repetitiously play hide and seek with his dad; almost daily. Bobby had a special big tree on the hill in the back of his home where he liked to run under and "hide" and his dad never was able to find him. Time after time his dad simply could not find him and Bobby just thought this was the greatest "trick" he could play on his dad! Bobby loved to be with his dad and to play games with him both in the yard and in his home. And to ride in the car with his dad was a fun time; often sitting in the front seat!
Bobby enjoyed his big playroom that was just aside from the main living room in his home, and one of his favorite "toys" was his huge custom made building block set with the entire alphabet; six letters or numbers per block. He simply liked to play with these big blocks so much of the time when he played alone or with his friends or his dad. And he loved to have his friends visit and his mom always had some kind of a special snack and Kool-Aid drink. (Bobby really liked the Kool-Aid grape and orange flavors).
As the years passed and Bobby was growing, he endured some of the usual things a child his age would be expected to experience such as some hesitation the very first day of school, the mumps, chicken pox and tonsillitis. And a lot of scraped knees and fingers! While no child likes to be sick, Bobby enjoyed the extra time he would have at home while recovering from those childhood encounters with illness. His mom would usually arrange something special to aid Bobby with the passing of the few days he missed school. (He really liked school and did not especially like to miss his school). Bobby was afforded the time with a really wonderful "live-in" nanny who was always in the home to be with the children when Robert and Virginia were away for social or business occasions. This nanny lived in the adjoining quarters, (actually, a separate private nine-room residence back of the main home), that was provided for her and for the cook, driver, and other housekeepers as well.
The Greenlease Family enjoyed their vacation time traveling, as Virginia tells this story; August of 1953 was no exception. The children accompanied Robert and Virginia to Europe and also the family nanny accompanied them, and this was a great assistance for Virginia. Bobby, who had turned six in February, was such an active little boy, and he really liked his nanny. And the time he spent with his nanny on this vacation was quite special for him, as she allowed him to enjoy some "extra" ice cream and candy. Of course, Bobby’s older sister Virginia Sue, was also the beneficiary of these "extras" during this particular European vacation. She liked sweets as much as her little brother!
In retrospect, Robert, Virginia, and Virginia Sue each remembered this long vacation as such a fun-filled time, and especially did each of them always recall what an exciting time this had been for Bobby, since he was then six and he was old enough to have observed and appreciated so many things he might not have been so impressed with at a younger age--even one year younger. And it was so, as Virginia related, because Bobby really talked so much and told his young classmates and friends about all of the things he had seen and experienced including the rides on the “great big Ferris Wheel,” and the traditional English Merry-go-round and the zoos where the elephants were his favorites; among the many things he had especially enjoyed and easily recalled to his family and friends. Virginia vividly remembered how excited Bobby was to tell everyone about his trip that summer. He delighted so much in telling folks, and in great detail, about the amusement rides, zoos, boats and trains, and of course, the “huge big elephants!"
Sadly, this late summer journey in 1953 would be the last time Bobby was with his family for a wonderful and exciting vacation. For the sadness and tragedy that soon was to overshadow the Greenlease Family, and all things about their lives would soon be forever changed and altered, and in such a dramatic and unimaginable tragic manner; none of which could have ever been considered by any sane or decent or good person. Because the very sick and misguided energies of two drunken ill-reputes were about to unfold upon little Bobby Greenlease. And these two very evil drunks and dope-heads were about to perpetrate kidnap, murder, and ransom. And their ill-fated behavior that would forever impact and bring such grief and sadness to each member of the Greenlease Family. How well Virginia recalled all of the events that began to unfold on that dark Monday afternoon in September, when she was told that her young son Bobby had been kidnapped, and right out of his school that he loved so much!
As Virginia recalls, Bobby was excited about going to school on the Monday morning of September 28, 1953, because he got to wear his Jerusalem Cross that was one of only two crosses awarded the week earlier to students who had done exceptional school work. Virginia pinned this cross tied with its red ribbon on Bobby’s jacket of his school uniform for all of his classmates to see and hopefully admire. Both of Bobby’s parents were so proud of him and so Bobby hugged and kissed his mother goodbye (which was to be the last time Virginia was ever to embrace her Bobby), and he and his dad loaded into his dads powder blue Cadillac and off to school they went. Robert always drove Bobby to school on his way to his office at Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company located just about one mile north of Bobby’s school. And Bobby was really happy, and as his dad later recalled, “Bobby was especially happy and excited about a new week beginning at school and to be wearing his Jerusalem Cross.” Bobby really loved school and his classmates, as many were some of his "best and closest" friends!
When Robert arrived at the school and drove up the entry-drive of the private school located at 3823 Locust Street, in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, little could he ever imagine or take notice of the two evil drunks who were close-by in their white 1951 Plymouth station wagon and who were observing his every move. Bobby hugged and kissed his dad goodbye, and ran from his car and up the front steps of the exclusive school and walked on inside the two sets of doors, and began another day in school, which sadly, was to be his final day in the school he felt was such a fun and special and safe place. This was the very last time and moment Robert Greenlease was to ever see his beloved little Bobby.
Robert later recalled that as he departed from the school in his car, he was thinking what a wonderful little boy he loved so deeply and how much Bobby was always so excited about everything in life; and about when he would play with Bobby in their almost daily "hide and seek" game in the back yard of their home, and playing with Bobby's two dogs at the end of the day, and usually just before dinnertime. Robert drove down the driveway of Bobby’s school and turned his car and drove north on Locust Street and then he headed west on Armour Blvd., and on north on Gillham Plaza that merges into Gillham Road that would take him directly to his office at his Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company.
Bobby went on up the steps inside the school to his classroom on the second floor and went to his desk at the back of the room. His teacher, a French Nun, recalled how happy Bobby seemed that morning, and she would recall that he showed his friends his Jerusalem Cross his mom had pinned to the jacket of his school uniform. The school morning went along as usual and Bobby was writing in his Big Chief Tablet words he had learned to spell. He was a good speller and he liked to share with his mom and dad his daily work sheets he kept in his tablet. Bobby had learned to spell some very long words and he would spell out these words for his mom and dad each day after school. He also really liked to draw animals with his crayons. In later years Virginia finally framed a few of his "great works of art," and she still had these drawings he drew of his dogs up to the time she passed away.
And then something occurred, something that became THE defining event that forever changed this quaint Roman Catholic School, that was always run so reverently, so efficiently, and so proudly, by this French Community of Nuns. Nuns who had come to Kansas City to open this school at the request of former Bishop Hogan so many years earlier. Sister Morand came to the door and spoke briefly to Bobby's teacher, also a Nun at the school. She requested that Bobby be excused from his class to go downstairs as his "auntie" was waiting to take him to his mother, (who had supposedly fallen ill on the Country Club Plaza), to St. Mary's Hospital on Main Street.
Bobby took Sister Morand's hand and she led him down the inside front steps leading to the entryway of the school to a woman who had identified herself as Bobby's aunt. (It seemed, just a few moments earlier, Sister Morand had shown this (as Sister would later describe), "deceitful and dreadful woman" to the Chapel to pray and to wait for Bobby, and yet this woman had returned to the entry of the school and was there waiting near the bottom of the inside steps for Bobby's arrival). Bobby never uttered a word nor did he deny that this woman was his aunt, and so, Bobby, holding the hand of this woman, and with her arm around him, departed out the front doors and down the outside steps to a waiting Toedman Co. Taxicab.
Thus began the long and tragic and unimaginable nightmare that forever became known nationally and worldwide as “The Bobby Greenlease Kidnapping, Murder, and Ransom Case.”
Virginia and Robert often pondered why Bobby didn’t say to anyone he didn’t even know who this lady was. Bobby saw life through the eyes of a six year-old boy, and to him, all adults represented authority, and since he was taught by his parents to respect all adults, he simply, and obviously, and unquestionably, believed he was doing what was right by going with her. Most children in that era were taught the same respect for adults by their own parents.
The actual kidnapping from his school required about six minutes from the time the female kidnapper left the cab and entered the school, deceived the school Nuns, kidnapped Bobby, and departed the school with Bobby Greenlease in hand. And within thirty-five minutes of Bobby’s being kidnapped from his school, (as the kidnappers would later testify in court), the second kidnapper, a man, who had then joined the first kidnapper, after she departed the taxicab with Bobby in hand, at the Katz Drug Store parking lot at 40th and Main St., a location that was quite close to Bobby's school. And together, these two kidnappers, along with Bobby, entered the female kidnapper's white 1951 Plymouth station wagon, and drove across Westport Road and crossed into Kansas, and then traveled on south on State Line Road to 95th Street and entered into a desolate field, where, sadly, they brutally ended Bobby's life!
This site has briefly detailed these beginning minutes, (kidnapping, leading to the murder of Bobby), part of the story. This is so intricate to Bobby’s final moments in this life.
Other sources such as the FBI, many local and state law enforcement agencies, and many other sources, have outlined the continuing details from this point where this site will not continue at this time. The tragic details beyond briefly describing what actually occurred once Bobby was taken from his school, his actual murder, the ransom notes, the telephone calls by the kidnappers to Bobby's parents, and all of the other details, need not be recalled in this web site at this time. Honoring Bobby's memory, and respecting his family, is this web sites only objective; not further sensationalism and exploitation of the two evil drunken perpetrators.
The motivation in creating this site is to not only accentuate the life of six-year-old Bobby Greenlease, but to highlight the lives of the entire Robert C. Greenlease Family. This site has recalled stories and experiences from Virginia's personal memory and her personal experiences. The many sources available that can provide in detail the actual sad events of Bobby's kidnapping, murder, ransom, and early confessions of the murderers, and their eventual fate, will not be retold in this web site. There just simply is not more that this site desires to add to the very horrible details of the events already recorded, detailed, categorized, and in some instances, in grizzly detail, from the immediate time after Bobby was taken from his school and driven to his final fate at the hands of his kidnapper's. Bobby was simply a wonderful and beloved little boy, and his life has touched not only the hearts of his family so close to him, and even his extended family throughout Kansas City, but perhaps millions and millions of people nationally, and even worldwide, who have followed and read, and perhaps heard about this very sad experience in the history of this Greenlease Family. Virginia always recalled Bobby for the many times she spent with him and with his family and when their families together would celebrate birthdays, first communions, confirmations, graduations, weddings, and other holy and inspiring and joyful and fun family occasions.
Events Bobby really loved to actively participate in such as family picnics. He liked roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, and he liked pink cotton candy and boxes of pop corn. Bobby enjoyed going to the Fox Plaza Theatre for occasional movies with his family, and to see the magical Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights. Bobby really truly loved Mickey and Minnie Mouse! He liked the 4th of July fireworks. He liked the times he went to Kiddieland inside Fairyland Amusement Park. And Kool-Aid, lots and lots of grape and orange Kool-Aid! And candy. He really liked Russell Stover’s Candies divinity and peanut-brittle; Russell and Clara Stover and family were actually neighbors who lived close-by his home in Mission Hills. And Cracker Jacks. Bobby was so excited about what prize would he find in a box of this confection. He liked both the Ararat Shrine Circus and the Police Circus. And he really loved Christmas! He could hardly wait for the Christmas trees to be arranged and set-up. There were usually several decorated trees throughout his home. He would string out and help test the lights on the living room floor and help attach the ornaments and silver ice-cycles to the trees. And Bobby loved to place the Baby Jesus image in the Manger in the large Christmas Crib in the huge entryway to his home. And his dad and mom would take Bobby and his siblings to Downtown Kansas City, Missouri to see the huge animated-talking Santa Claus in the Emery-Bird-Thayer store windows. Bobby would ride the train with Virginia Sue and Paul in the huge 12th and Main Street Jone’s Store. He also loved the many downtown retail stores special Christmas windows with beautiful often animated life-like detailed Christmas figures at stores such as Harzfeld’s, Macy’s, Kline’s, Woolf Brothers, Wolferman’s, the big F. W. Woolworth’s, Kresge’s, W. T. Grant Dime Stores and the lovely Bond’s Clothing Company Downtown stores.
And Bobby really loved Easter. Naturally, he enjoyed the Easter Bunny and the Russell Stover Candy Easter Eggs---and as Virginia recalled, "especially the white chocolate green coconut-filled and pink strawberry-filled eggs." There was always a large Easter Egg Hunt for the entire neighborhood in the Greenlease yard. Bobby and Virginia Sue loved to fill their baskets with hidden eggs and candies. But, Easter truly celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus and Bobby was taught that the real meaning for this special holiday was that “his friend Jesus was brought back to life and that He would then live forever.” Bobby had celebrated his sixth birthday shortly before Lent and Easter in 1953, so he had learned about Jesus being brought up and away from death. Of course, as Virginia would relate she doesn’t know for certain what a six year-old boy fully understands about life beyond death, but Bobby was a bright boy and he seemed to somehow grasp "that his friend Jesus had come up and away from the death he had suffered on that terrible Cross!" Virginia knew Bobby did understand that there was a place called Heaven and that he too would always be with his family and everyone he cared about in that special place called Heaven! She simply don’t know exactly the understanding of a child like Bobby was towards death. Virginia believed his Catholic faith was strong and he understood that sometimes someone would not be seen any more because they had “passed away--and gone out of sight.” Earlier, this site recalled about the bird dying and Bobby’s reaction and understanding of that experience. So, Virginia did trust that Bobby had some kind of an understanding or concept, and at some deep child level, about death. As Virginia articulated: "Only God knows for certain!"
Bobby enjoyed his big playroom that was just aside from the main living room in his home, and one of his favorite "toys" was his huge custom made building block set with the entire alphabet; six letters or numbers per block. He simply liked to play with these big blocks so much of the time when he played alone or with his friends or his dad. And he loved to have his friends visit and his mom always had some kind of a special snack and Kool-Aid drink. (Bobby really liked the Kool-Aid grape and orange flavors).
As the years passed and Bobby was growing, he endured some of the usual things a child his age would be expected to experience such as some hesitation the very first day of school, the mumps, chicken pox and tonsillitis. And a lot of scraped knees and fingers! While no child likes to be sick, Bobby enjoyed the extra time he would have at home while recovering from those childhood encounters with illness. His mom would usually arrange something special to aid Bobby with the passing of the few days he missed school. (He really liked school and did not especially like to miss his school). Bobby was afforded the time with a really wonderful "live-in" nanny who was always in the home to be with the children when Robert and Virginia were away for social or business occasions. This nanny lived in the adjoining quarters, (actually, a separate private nine-room residence back of the main home), that was provided for her and for the cook, driver, and other housekeepers as well.
The Greenlease Family enjoyed their vacation time traveling, as Virginia tells this story; August of 1953 was no exception. The children accompanied Robert and Virginia to Europe and also the family nanny accompanied them, and this was a great assistance for Virginia. Bobby, who had turned six in February, was such an active little boy, and he really liked his nanny. And the time he spent with his nanny on this vacation was quite special for him, as she allowed him to enjoy some "extra" ice cream and candy. Of course, Bobby’s older sister Virginia Sue, was also the beneficiary of these "extras" during this particular European vacation. She liked sweets as much as her little brother!
In retrospect, Robert, Virginia, and Virginia Sue each remembered this long vacation as such a fun-filled time, and especially did each of them always recall what an exciting time this had been for Bobby, since he was then six and he was old enough to have observed and appreciated so many things he might not have been so impressed with at a younger age--even one year younger. And it was so, as Virginia related, because Bobby really talked so much and told his young classmates and friends about all of the things he had seen and experienced including the rides on the “great big Ferris Wheel,” and the traditional English Merry-go-round and the zoos where the elephants were his favorites; among the many things he had especially enjoyed and easily recalled to his family and friends. Virginia vividly remembered how excited Bobby was to tell everyone about his trip that summer. He delighted so much in telling folks, and in great detail, about the amusement rides, zoos, boats and trains, and of course, the “huge big elephants!"
Sadly, this late summer journey in 1953 would be the last time Bobby was with his family for a wonderful and exciting vacation. For the sadness and tragedy that soon was to overshadow the Greenlease Family, and all things about their lives would soon be forever changed and altered, and in such a dramatic and unimaginable tragic manner; none of which could have ever been considered by any sane or decent or good person. Because the very sick and misguided energies of two drunken ill-reputes were about to unfold upon little Bobby Greenlease. And these two very evil drunks and dope-heads were about to perpetrate kidnap, murder, and ransom. And their ill-fated behavior that would forever impact and bring such grief and sadness to each member of the Greenlease Family. How well Virginia recalled all of the events that began to unfold on that dark Monday afternoon in September, when she was told that her young son Bobby had been kidnapped, and right out of his school that he loved so much!
As Virginia recalls, Bobby was excited about going to school on the Monday morning of September 28, 1953, because he got to wear his Jerusalem Cross that was one of only two crosses awarded the week earlier to students who had done exceptional school work. Virginia pinned this cross tied with its red ribbon on Bobby’s jacket of his school uniform for all of his classmates to see and hopefully admire. Both of Bobby’s parents were so proud of him and so Bobby hugged and kissed his mother goodbye (which was to be the last time Virginia was ever to embrace her Bobby), and he and his dad loaded into his dads powder blue Cadillac and off to school they went. Robert always drove Bobby to school on his way to his office at Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company located just about one mile north of Bobby’s school. And Bobby was really happy, and as his dad later recalled, “Bobby was especially happy and excited about a new week beginning at school and to be wearing his Jerusalem Cross.” Bobby really loved school and his classmates, as many were some of his "best and closest" friends!
When Robert arrived at the school and drove up the entry-drive of the private school located at 3823 Locust Street, in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, little could he ever imagine or take notice of the two evil drunks who were close-by in their white 1951 Plymouth station wagon and who were observing his every move. Bobby hugged and kissed his dad goodbye, and ran from his car and up the front steps of the exclusive school and walked on inside the two sets of doors, and began another day in school, which sadly, was to be his final day in the school he felt was such a fun and special and safe place. This was the very last time and moment Robert Greenlease was to ever see his beloved little Bobby.
Robert later recalled that as he departed from the school in his car, he was thinking what a wonderful little boy he loved so deeply and how much Bobby was always so excited about everything in life; and about when he would play with Bobby in their almost daily "hide and seek" game in the back yard of their home, and playing with Bobby's two dogs at the end of the day, and usually just before dinnertime. Robert drove down the driveway of Bobby’s school and turned his car and drove north on Locust Street and then he headed west on Armour Blvd., and on north on Gillham Plaza that merges into Gillham Road that would take him directly to his office at his Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company.
Bobby went on up the steps inside the school to his classroom on the second floor and went to his desk at the back of the room. His teacher, a French Nun, recalled how happy Bobby seemed that morning, and she would recall that he showed his friends his Jerusalem Cross his mom had pinned to the jacket of his school uniform. The school morning went along as usual and Bobby was writing in his Big Chief Tablet words he had learned to spell. He was a good speller and he liked to share with his mom and dad his daily work sheets he kept in his tablet. Bobby had learned to spell some very long words and he would spell out these words for his mom and dad each day after school. He also really liked to draw animals with his crayons. In later years Virginia finally framed a few of his "great works of art," and she still had these drawings he drew of his dogs up to the time she passed away.
And then something occurred, something that became THE defining event that forever changed this quaint Roman Catholic School, that was always run so reverently, so efficiently, and so proudly, by this French Community of Nuns. Nuns who had come to Kansas City to open this school at the request of former Bishop Hogan so many years earlier. Sister Morand came to the door and spoke briefly to Bobby's teacher, also a Nun at the school. She requested that Bobby be excused from his class to go downstairs as his "auntie" was waiting to take him to his mother, (who had supposedly fallen ill on the Country Club Plaza), to St. Mary's Hospital on Main Street.
Bobby took Sister Morand's hand and she led him down the inside front steps leading to the entryway of the school to a woman who had identified herself as Bobby's aunt. (It seemed, just a few moments earlier, Sister Morand had shown this (as Sister would later describe), "deceitful and dreadful woman" to the Chapel to pray and to wait for Bobby, and yet this woman had returned to the entry of the school and was there waiting near the bottom of the inside steps for Bobby's arrival). Bobby never uttered a word nor did he deny that this woman was his aunt, and so, Bobby, holding the hand of this woman, and with her arm around him, departed out the front doors and down the outside steps to a waiting Toedman Co. Taxicab.
Thus began the long and tragic and unimaginable nightmare that forever became known nationally and worldwide as “The Bobby Greenlease Kidnapping, Murder, and Ransom Case.”
Virginia and Robert often pondered why Bobby didn’t say to anyone he didn’t even know who this lady was. Bobby saw life through the eyes of a six year-old boy, and to him, all adults represented authority, and since he was taught by his parents to respect all adults, he simply, and obviously, and unquestionably, believed he was doing what was right by going with her. Most children in that era were taught the same respect for adults by their own parents.
The actual kidnapping from his school required about six minutes from the time the female kidnapper left the cab and entered the school, deceived the school Nuns, kidnapped Bobby, and departed the school with Bobby Greenlease in hand. And within thirty-five minutes of Bobby’s being kidnapped from his school, (as the kidnappers would later testify in court), the second kidnapper, a man, who had then joined the first kidnapper, after she departed the taxicab with Bobby in hand, at the Katz Drug Store parking lot at 40th and Main St., a location that was quite close to Bobby's school. And together, these two kidnappers, along with Bobby, entered the female kidnapper's white 1951 Plymouth station wagon, and drove across Westport Road and crossed into Kansas, and then traveled on south on State Line Road to 95th Street and entered into a desolate field, where, sadly, they brutally ended Bobby's life!
This site has briefly detailed these beginning minutes, (kidnapping, leading to the murder of Bobby), part of the story. This is so intricate to Bobby’s final moments in this life.
Other sources such as the FBI, many local and state law enforcement agencies, and many other sources, have outlined the continuing details from this point where this site will not continue at this time. The tragic details beyond briefly describing what actually occurred once Bobby was taken from his school, his actual murder, the ransom notes, the telephone calls by the kidnappers to Bobby's parents, and all of the other details, need not be recalled in this web site at this time. Honoring Bobby's memory, and respecting his family, is this web sites only objective; not further sensationalism and exploitation of the two evil drunken perpetrators.
The motivation in creating this site is to not only accentuate the life of six-year-old Bobby Greenlease, but to highlight the lives of the entire Robert C. Greenlease Family. This site has recalled stories and experiences from Virginia's personal memory and her personal experiences. The many sources available that can provide in detail the actual sad events of Bobby's kidnapping, murder, ransom, and early confessions of the murderers, and their eventual fate, will not be retold in this web site. There just simply is not more that this site desires to add to the very horrible details of the events already recorded, detailed, categorized, and in some instances, in grizzly detail, from the immediate time after Bobby was taken from his school and driven to his final fate at the hands of his kidnapper's. Bobby was simply a wonderful and beloved little boy, and his life has touched not only the hearts of his family so close to him, and even his extended family throughout Kansas City, but perhaps millions and millions of people nationally, and even worldwide, who have followed and read, and perhaps heard about this very sad experience in the history of this Greenlease Family. Virginia always recalled Bobby for the many times she spent with him and with his family and when their families together would celebrate birthdays, first communions, confirmations, graduations, weddings, and other holy and inspiring and joyful and fun family occasions.
Events Bobby really loved to actively participate in such as family picnics. He liked roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, and he liked pink cotton candy and boxes of pop corn. Bobby enjoyed going to the Fox Plaza Theatre for occasional movies with his family, and to see the magical Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights. Bobby really truly loved Mickey and Minnie Mouse! He liked the 4th of July fireworks. He liked the times he went to Kiddieland inside Fairyland Amusement Park. And Kool-Aid, lots and lots of grape and orange Kool-Aid! And candy. He really liked Russell Stover’s Candies divinity and peanut-brittle; Russell and Clara Stover and family were actually neighbors who lived close-by his home in Mission Hills. And Cracker Jacks. Bobby was so excited about what prize would he find in a box of this confection. He liked both the Ararat Shrine Circus and the Police Circus. And he really loved Christmas! He could hardly wait for the Christmas trees to be arranged and set-up. There were usually several decorated trees throughout his home. He would string out and help test the lights on the living room floor and help attach the ornaments and silver ice-cycles to the trees. And Bobby loved to place the Baby Jesus image in the Manger in the large Christmas Crib in the huge entryway to his home. And his dad and mom would take Bobby and his siblings to Downtown Kansas City, Missouri to see the huge animated-talking Santa Claus in the Emery-Bird-Thayer store windows. Bobby would ride the train with Virginia Sue and Paul in the huge 12th and Main Street Jone’s Store. He also loved the many downtown retail stores special Christmas windows with beautiful often animated life-like detailed Christmas figures at stores such as Harzfeld’s, Macy’s, Kline’s, Woolf Brothers, Wolferman’s, the big F. W. Woolworth’s, Kresge’s, W. T. Grant Dime Stores and the lovely Bond’s Clothing Company Downtown stores.
And Bobby really loved Easter. Naturally, he enjoyed the Easter Bunny and the Russell Stover Candy Easter Eggs---and as Virginia recalled, "especially the white chocolate green coconut-filled and pink strawberry-filled eggs." There was always a large Easter Egg Hunt for the entire neighborhood in the Greenlease yard. Bobby and Virginia Sue loved to fill their baskets with hidden eggs and candies. But, Easter truly celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus and Bobby was taught that the real meaning for this special holiday was that “his friend Jesus was brought back to life and that He would then live forever.” Bobby had celebrated his sixth birthday shortly before Lent and Easter in 1953, so he had learned about Jesus being brought up and away from death. Of course, as Virginia would relate she doesn’t know for certain what a six year-old boy fully understands about life beyond death, but Bobby was a bright boy and he seemed to somehow grasp "that his friend Jesus had come up and away from the death he had suffered on that terrible Cross!" Virginia knew Bobby did understand that there was a place called Heaven and that he too would always be with his family and everyone he cared about in that special place called Heaven! She simply don’t know exactly the understanding of a child like Bobby was towards death. Virginia believed his Catholic faith was strong and he understood that sometimes someone would not be seen any more because they had “passed away--and gone out of sight.” Earlier, this site recalled about the bird dying and Bobby’s reaction and understanding of that experience. So, Virginia did trust that Bobby had some kind of an understanding or concept, and at some deep child level, about death. As Virginia articulated: "Only God knows for certain!"
bobby's life celebrated DURING FAMILY VISITATION, HOLY rosary PRAYERS and THE mass of the angels...
Robert C. Greenlease with Bobby (1952)
Bobby’s life was celebrated to be certain!! The Greenlease Family had a Holy Rosary prayed on the evening of October 8, 1953 at the W. G. Pierson's lovely Stine & McClure Undertakers, located on Gillham Plaza just three blocks south of the Greenlease Cadillac Motor Company. The Holy Mass of the Angels was celebrated for Bobby on October 9, 1953, in his Church, St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in Roeland Park, Kansas. The Mass was presided over by the Most Reverend Edward Hunkeler the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and The Rev. Monsignor Herman J. Koch, the Parish Pastor. This is the same Church where Bobby was Baptized as an infant, and where he was an active member. Bobby Greenlease was entombed in the family crypt in the Forest Hill Abbey Mausoleum inside Forest Hill Cemetery located at 6901 Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Bobby’s father, his mother, and his sister are also entombed in the same room with Bobby. His step-brother Paul and his family are interred elsewhere in the same cemetery.
For this site to actually detail even more of Bobby’s short-lived life is something to perhaps be continued in the future. This site now is recalling what Virginia expressed about Bobby and his family over the course of several years.
VIRGINIA RECALLS BOBBY AND THE FAMILY...
Bobby's Mother articulated so many stories across the years and perhaps even more of what Virginia recalled of these personal events will be included in this site in the future. Virginia wanted there to be an enduring personal record that would recall what she experienced with Bobby and her entire family and across so many years. This web site will continue to express her thoughts and in a manner so as to always respect Virginia’s privacy and to serve as another means to honor her and to record the thoughts she expressed the last few years of her life.
This site decided early on not to dwell in any detail on the horrible and tragic details of Bobby’s actual passing. So much could be recalled about the tragedy, but it serves nothing good for this site to make this the primary emphasis. Virginia clearly recalled Bobby for the happy and joyful times, and, as well, the spiritual times she spent together with Bobby and her entire family. Virginia was always precise and quite clear when she expressed her thoughts about her beloved family. A favorite reading she enjoyed often:
The Souls of the just
are always in the hands of God and Virginia believed
everything in this life is “Decreed by Divine
Providence.” God leads us through those still calm waters and
each one of us really are put here for God’s good
purpose. Virginia firmly believed and also affirmed: “If we are slow to
forgive, we are also very slow to love. Love and forgiveness go
hand in hand; entwined!” Virginia truly believed this:
“Life was like being on a very large boat and we are
all, hopefully, rowing together to complete
our goal of reaching that other distant shore.” Virginia
Greenlease deeply believed that at some time, everyone
hopefully will reach that “other distant
shore,” and she desired to live her own daily life in a manner
always pleasing unto God, so that she too would forever be with
Jesus and His Mother, and all of the Saints in
Heaven, and her beloved
family.
"May the Souls
of the Faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest in
Peace...
Amen."
For this site to actually detail even more of Bobby’s short-lived life is something to perhaps be continued in the future. This site now is recalling what Virginia expressed about Bobby and his family over the course of several years.
VIRGINIA RECALLS BOBBY AND THE FAMILY...
Bobby's Mother articulated so many stories across the years and perhaps even more of what Virginia recalled of these personal events will be included in this site in the future. Virginia wanted there to be an enduring personal record that would recall what she experienced with Bobby and her entire family and across so many years. This web site will continue to express her thoughts and in a manner so as to always respect Virginia’s privacy and to serve as another means to honor her and to record the thoughts she expressed the last few years of her life.
This site decided early on not to dwell in any detail on the horrible and tragic details of Bobby’s actual passing. So much could be recalled about the tragedy, but it serves nothing good for this site to make this the primary emphasis. Virginia clearly recalled Bobby for the happy and joyful times, and, as well, the spiritual times she spent together with Bobby and her entire family. Virginia was always precise and quite clear when she expressed her thoughts about her beloved family. A favorite reading she enjoyed often:
The Souls of the just
are always in the hands of God and Virginia believed
everything in this life is “Decreed by Divine
Providence.” God leads us through those still calm waters and
each one of us really are put here for God’s good
purpose. Virginia firmly believed and also affirmed: “If we are slow to
forgive, we are also very slow to love. Love and forgiveness go
hand in hand; entwined!” Virginia truly believed this:
“Life was like being on a very large boat and we are
all, hopefully, rowing together to complete
our goal of reaching that other distant shore.” Virginia
Greenlease deeply believed that at some time, everyone
hopefully will reach that “other distant
shore,” and she desired to live her own daily life in a manner
always pleasing unto God, so that she too would forever be with
Jesus and His Mother, and all of the Saints in
Heaven, and her beloved
family.
"May the Souls
of the Faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest in
Peace...
Amen."
