Robert "Bob" Lancaster

Robert “Bob” Lancaster passed away peacefully after a short illness on July 5, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas.

Bob was born April 23, 1947, to Merl and Margaret (Underwood) Lancaster in Pawnee, Oklahoma.  The family moved to Wichita in 1960, where Bob graduated from Southeast High School and Friends University.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Dona (Dehne) Freeman Lancaster; his son, Jason Lancaster, of Chicago, Illinois, stepson, DeWayne Freeman and grandson Connor, of Wichita; younger brother, Bill Lancaster of Bonner Springs, Kansas; niece, Lynn (Lancaster) Edmond and her husband, Chad of Leavenworth, Kansas; nephews, Marc Peltier and his wife, Katie, of Westport, Massachusetts and Dan Peltier and his wife, Leslie, of Columbus, Ohio; grandnieces, Hope, Grace , Belle and Ruby, and grandnephews, Cole, Nikolai and Nils.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Merl and Margaret Lancaster; his stepfather, Pat Curry; older sister, Kay Peltier of Columbus, Ohio; and Aunt Ruby Ripley of Pawnee, Oklahoma.

Bob will be remembered as a passionate and trained chef, a devoted member and master-of-all trades in the Wichita theater community, and a career employee of the City of Wichita.  He served as the director of the Depot Theater in Dodge City and was an active member and board member of Table of Hope MCC in Wichita. His kindness and generosity impacted the lives of everyone with whom he came in contact. He was loved and will be missed by many.

Memorial Services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 13, 2026, at Downey & Lahey Mortuary, 6555 E. Central in Wichita.  Burial services will follow at 3:00 at Highland Cemetery in Pawnee, Oklahoma, where he will be laid to rest next to his parents and sister.  A celebration of Life will be held at Roxy’s Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas, Wichita at 7 p.m. on Monday July 13.  Cash bar will be available and light hors d’ouvres will be served.

A memorial has been established with Table of Hope MCC Food Pantry, 156 S. Kansas Wichita, KS 67211.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuaries — East Wichita.