Robert Mark Brackenbury

Robert Brackenbury, 99, of Independence, Missouri passed away peacefully in his home on September 8, 2026, after a brief stay with Enhabit Hospice. He was born on July 31, 1927, in Independence, Missouri, the son of Helen Emma (Page) Brackenbury and Charles Albert Brackenbury.

Bob attended William Chrisman High School but moved to California and graduated from Manual Arts High School. Immediately after graduation, Bob enlisted in the Navy at the close of World War II. In Okinawa he was assigned to the USS LST 989 and got picked as a seaman first class with quartermaster and signalman duties, prior to which he served as the helmsman. After coming home to California, he was ordained to the office of deacon in the RLDS church in California. He attended Graceland College for a year and went abroad to Academie Juelian Art School in Paris, France. He finished his degree at Los Angeles Art Center College in the industrial design department. As part of his college graduation requirements, Bob did an internship working for General Motors Automotive Design Studio in Detroit, Michigan.

Bob met the love of his life, Mary Lou Goulder, while visiting the West Branch, Michigan RLDS congregation. She too was living in Detroit at the time. Bob and Mary were married on September 5, 1951, in West Branch, Michigan. They lived in Detroit briefly and then moved to California where Bob worked in the aerospace industry as a graphic designer. When Bob received a request from the church to come work at their publishing division, Herald House, as the art director, he moved his family back to Independence in 1967. After 10 years at Herald House, Bob worked on and off as a freelance artist from home, doing everything from designing ornaments for Neiman Marcus to Hillbilly facades for the modern structures at Silver Dollar City. Bob devoted the last 10 years of his work life to Federal Signal Company designing corporate identity and signage.

Bob and Mary cherished their time with their family and loved to travel to Michigan and Texas regularly to visit extended family. No one will forget Bob’s ability to tell a story or to show off his photos and relive his life experiences. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Paul, sister Rose Ann, and devoted wife Mary of 72 years. Bob is survived by his three children, son Robert D. Brackenbury and Terre Tweedie, daughter Laura (Brackenbury) O’Camb and Philip, and son William Brackenbury and Deborah. He also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many dear nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)