Robert "Bob" Phillips, 78, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Saturday, January 10, 2026 at his home, surrounded by family. 

 

He was born September 24, 1947 in Malden, Missouri to Emily Sara Emerson Phillips.

 

He and Debbie Pollmann were married June 24, 1978 at Owensville, Missouri.

 

Bob was a 1965 graduate of Malden High School.  He received an associate of arts degree from Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas in 1967 and a bachelor of science in education degree in 1970 from Arkansas State in Jonesboro where he was also very active in the TKE Beta Psi Chapter.  He later received a certificate in Christian studies in 1996 from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

 

He taught for one year in Malden and served as the freshmen football coach.  He then began a 40 year career with Cameron Mutual Insurance Company with the majority of that time in claims risk management.  He retired in 2012. 

 

Bob had been a member of Kimbeland Country Club since 1986 and had been on the board of directors.  He also volunteered at the Southeast Hospital Cancer Center.  He was a member of First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau where he was a Sunday School Teacher, youth leader and deacon. 

 

He liked to read and watch movies.  He enjoyed golf and photography, and he loved to travel. 

 

Survivors include his wife, Debbie Phillips of Cape Girardeau; son, Kent (Jamie) Phillips of Cape Girardeau; three cousins, Teri Lynn Kratzer of Foley, Alabama, Jeff Hampton of Copperas Cove, Texas and Jim Hampton of Dothan, Alabama. 

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; uncle, Sheridan "Dutch" Emerson; two aunts, Imogene Emerson and Juanita Davis; and cousin, Peggy Jean Hampton.

 

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau.

 

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am Thursday, January 15, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Wesley Tew officiating.

 

Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University Athletics or TKE Beta Psi Alumni Association. 

 

The family would like to thank the nurses at Mercy Hospital Southeast for their compassionate support and care of Bob during his stays.