Robert “Bob” Green
GREEN, ROBERT (BOB) CHAPIN passed away March 16, 2019 at Laclede Groves Retirement Center, Webster Groves, Missouri at age 92.
Mr. Green was born in Davenport, Iowa on July 28, 1926. He and his fraternal twin, Richard, were the youngest of 6 children born to Irvin and Metta Green, and he was the last surviving member of his siblings.
Mr. Green attended Roosevelt High School in St. Louis. After graduation and prior to being drafted into the US Army, he worked at a number of part-time jobs with the Burlington Northern and Frisco railroads and then the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. After a short stint in the Army, he entered college and received a B.A. from Grinnell (IA) College. After graduation, he returned to his position with the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis and was soon promoted to business manager for the Pocatello, Idaho minor league affiliate. After serving with the Cardinals for 5 years, he took a position with Ralston Purina and remained there for 38 years, retiring in 1988 as Director of Meeting Planning and Corporate Travel. While at Ralston, he was founding member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and later served as interim CEO and International President. In retirement, Mr Green edited two books: “MPI, a 20 year review” the first history of the organization, and a comprehensive glossary of international meeting industry terms. Those who knew Mr. Green would describe him as reserved, kind, smart and hard working, with a cheerful humor and a deep sense of integrity instilled in him at a young age by his family and religious upbringing. Mr. Green also had an uncanny ability to put people at ease in almost any situation, and always considered the needs of others before his own.
Mr. Green’s family will remember him, especially, as a dedicated and loving caregiver to his wife, Georgia, during her ongoing battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Mr. Green loved St. Louis, and supported many public organizations, including the St. Louis Symphony, KETC (Channel 9), and a number of veteran’s organizations. His volunteer efforts included work on behalf of the Salvation Army and making voice recordings for the Society for the Blind. After he and his wife moved to Laclede Groves retirement community, Mr. Green remained active in a variety of social and volunteer activities on that campus. And of course, Mr. Green was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.
He is survived by Georgia Kuhlmann Green, his wife of 63 years; son Mitchell Green (Vicky), grandsons Henry Green (Cori) and Dylan Green, great-grandchildren Gabriel Matczak and Raegan Jane Green. He is also survived by brother-in-law Henry (Donna) Kuhlmann, and many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbors. All will forever carry him in their hearts.
Funeral services and interment will be private.
Memorials would be appreciated at the charity of your choice, the Salvation Army Auxiliary, P.O. Box 21781, St. Louis MO 63109, the Parkinson’s Disease Association, 1415 Elbridge Payne Blvd., Chesterfield MO 63107, or the LG Benefactor Fund.
Bob Green will be missed, his legacy and commitment to MPI touched all of our lives. My prayers and condolences to the family. Euclid C. Strayhorn.
Bob was one of my favorite people. He was a great mentor and so very fun and interesting to talk with. He treated everyone with respect and dignity. He loved to laugh, and the stories, oh the stories. I feel very blessed to have had the chance to know him. He left a great legacy with his enormous contribution to the meetings industry. My prayers and thoughts are with the family and all his friends who will miss him very, very much. Gracie
May God comfort and guide you during this difficult time; and may the “peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your heart and your mental powers”. Philippians 4:7.
To Georgia, Mitch, Vicky and family-the gold standard of friends, Bob has finally put up the gavel. Gary and I will remember with love all of the wonderful times and laughs we enjoyed over our forty years of friendship. I love this picture and hope that it can be duplicated! Blessings!
Oh dearest Georgia, Mitch, Vicky, and the rest of your family .. Bob’s professional family mourns with you. Without Bob so many of us would never have ‘made it’ – in so many ways. His warmth, intelligence, and inclusion brought so many of us in to the fold of meetings.
In Judaism, we ask that a person’s memory be only for a blessing. For Bob, it is so.
With love and caring in this time of mourning.
What a great loss for us, for MPI, for our industry, and mostly, for Georgia and Mitch and his family. Bob was an industry giant, a leader in every sense of the word. And, as always, self-deprecating, and humble, his wit and humor shone through, simultaneously. I will miss him. I grieve for Georgia, who will feel that loss daily, and keenly, for his son and family, and for all of us lucky to have known him. My deepest sympathy to Georgia and Mitch and family.
hi Georgia…dear Georgia,
I’ve been trying to reach you via phone and will continue to do so, but for now, just want you to know how sad our whole family is on hearing about the death of Uncle Bob. I guess he will always be known as “uncle” since Rob is named after him. There is a void in all our hearts and it will continue to ache without his presence. I’m hoping to reach you via phone soon. Until then, Love to you and Mitch…Aunt Joan
I had the great pleasure of working with Bob for several years on St. Louis’ submission for the MPI Chapter of the Year Award. He was the driving force behind our bids and was instrumental in us winning the award in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He was a visionary and laid a great foundation for all of us in the Meeting Planning and Hospitality industry. All of our lives have been greatly enriched by his hard work and dedication. Thank you Bob!