Bob was born in 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri to Pauline and Joseph Janes. They preceded him in death along with his sister, Ella Todd, and his brother, Frank Janes. He is survived by his wife, Laurie, his sister, Ruth Busby, his brother, Ralph Janes, his brothers-in-law, Dave Busby and James Todd, his sisters-in-law, Gwen Janes and Ginger Chase, and his many nieces and nephews and their children.

Bob was known for his kindness to both people and animals, and his work ethic, working his way through high school at a grocery store. He continued to work his way through college and graduate school as a teaching assistant at the three colleges he attended: The University of Missouri at Kansas City, the University of Missouri at Columbia, and The University of Kansas. Bob had a Master’s degree in Geography and nearly finished his PhD (ABD) in Earth Science. He was asked to present his Master’s thesis, which dealt with previously unmapped sinkholes, at the U.S. Geological Society’s National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, which he did. He also had an extensive knowledge of botany and was offered a job with the U.S. Army in vegetation mapping before he decided to enter the field of education.

Although Bob was a pacifist, he served his country in Vietnam after being drafted into the army. Luckily, he was never required to commit any acts of violence because it would have gone against his conscience to do so. While there, he earned an Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding service.

Bob was hired by Penn Valley Community College in 1978 to work with nursing students and became a full-time Learning Specialist two years later. He worked at Penn Valley for 23 years, retiring in 2001 to care for his wife who was ill. Bob was loved and respected by both his students and his fellow employees for his tireless patience, his incredible wealth of knowledge, and his compassion and non-judgmental concern for others. Countless students told him that they would have dropped out of school had it not been for his guidance and mentorship. Bob was not just an excellent teacher; he was also a role model for everyone who was privileged enough to work with him.

Bob was devoted to his family: his parents and his two brothers and two sisters, caring for both of his parents in their older years until they passed. He loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children.

In 1998, Bob married Laurie (Platt) Janes and they were blessed with nearly 23 years of love, laughter, friendship, and an extraordinary emotional and intellectual connection. He lovingly cared for Laurie during a long illness, and she was honored to be able to care for Bob during his battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s.

Besides his family, Bob’s passion was nature and wildlife. He especially loved hiking in the woods and he always said that that was where he felt closest to God. He also loved literature, art, movies, and music, especially rock’n roll, and was an avid Beatles fan.

Everyone who knew Bob respected him for his intelligence, selflessness, conscientiousness, compassion, honesty, and integrity. But there was also a brilliantly creative side of Bob that most people didn’t get to see. He was extremely witty and could be silly at the drop of a hat. He could draw, write poetry, and his Mick Jagger impersonation was spot on.

Bob had a deeply spiritual nature and believed that all creatures great and small are sacred and should be treated with love and kindness, which he always demonstrated. He was also a great respecter of women and championed women’s rights.

Bob will be sorely missed by those who love him, especially his wife, Laurie, whose heart and soul will be forever joined with his.

Bob would ask that any donations made in his name go to an organization whose aim is to protect wildlife or the environment, for example, the World Wildlife Fund or The Sierra Club.

No services are planned at this time. 

These Things You Are To Me

(for Bob)

A vein of gold in solid rock,

Ursa Major, constant and true,

The roots of an oak spreading deep in the earth,

The limitless sky with its treasure of blue.

A windswept marsh teeming with life,

Two strong hands building a fire,

The doors of a church standing open to all,

The flight of a bird soaring higher and higher.

Laurie Janes

“The presence of your absence is everywhere.“ Edna St. Vincent Millay