Robert “Bob” Phillips, 78, Cape Girardeau, passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born Sept. 24, 1947, to Emily Sara Emerson Phillips in Malden.
He was united in marriage to Debbie Pollmann June 24, 1978, in Owensville.
Bob was a 1965 graduate of Malden High School. He received an associate of arts degree from Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Ark. 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. Bob 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 and 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 and was a member of First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau where he was a Sunday school teacher, youth leader and deacon.
Bob liked to read and watch movies. He enjoyed golf and photography, and he loved to travel.
He was preceded in death his parents; uncle, Sheridan “Dutch” Emerson; aunts, Imogene Emerson and Juanita Davis; and cousin, Peggy Jean Hampton.
Bob is survived by his wife, Debbie of Cape Girardeau; son, Kent Phillips and wife Jamie of Cape Girardeau; and cousins, Teri Lynn Kratzer of Foley, Ala., Jeff Hampton of Copperas Cove, Texas and Jim Hampton of Dothan, Ala.
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan.14, at First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan.15, at First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Wesley Tew officiating.
Memorial contributions suggested to First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University Athletics or TKE Beta Psi Alumni Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.
The family would like to thank the nurses at Mercy Hospital Southeast for their compassionate support and care of Bob during his stays.
Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.
