Robert D. O’Shea, 101, formerly of Oskaloosa, died Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Lexington Park Assisted Living in Topeka, Kansas.
Mr. O’Shea was born April 21, 1925, on a farm near Blaine in Pottawatomie County, the son of John and Lenora (Farrell) O’Shea. He graduated from Blaine High School in 1943 and served two years in the Marine Corps during World War II.
He graduated from Kansas State University in 1953 with a degree in Agriculture Administration. He was then employed with the Soil Conservation Service at Pratt. In 1956, he accepted the county supervisor position with the Farmers Home Administration in Oskaloosa. As FMHA county supervisor of Jefferson County, he was active in organizing and funding the many rural water districts in the county. In 1971, he transferred to the FMHA state office in Topeka and later was promoted to chief of community programs for the State of Kansas.
After retiring from the FMHA in 1982, he worked as a field specialist for the Kansas Rural Water Association. Later, he and his wife purchased and operated the O’Shea Liquor Store in Oskaloosa for three years. After selling the business, he became active in real estate and, as a broker, owned the O’Shea Real Estate Agency in Oskaloosa.
He was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Perry and served as past president of St. Theresa’s Church Council. He was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of Oskaloosa American Legion Post 36, Jefferson County NARFE, and the Blaine High School Alumni Association. He also served as a past member of the Oskaloosa City Council and received a Paul Harris Fellowship Award as a Rotarian. In 1996, as a Marine Corps veteran, he participated in the Heartland Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was an avid gardener and winemaker, and in 1991 won a blue ribbon for producing the top wine in Kansas.
He married Joan Roggenkamp on July 26, 1951, at Lillis, Kansas.
Survivors include a son, Tim (Debra) O’Shea of Topeka; two daughters, Marlene (Ernie Shuford) O’Shea of Topeka; and Diane (Mike) Siegler of Middletown, Delaware; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Tom O’Shea, and five brothers, Norbert, John, Gilbert, Raymond, and Patrick.
A joint rosary and visitation with his wife, Joan O’Shea, will be held from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2026, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to the KSU Athletic Department or to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.
For more information, visit barnettfamilyfh.com.
