Walnut Valley Festival President , Bob Redford, Passes

Bob L. Redford (July 2, 1938 - December 17, 2016) 

Bob L. Redford, 78, of Burden, Kansas, passed away on December 17, at Peace of Mind, Rose Hill House, Rose Hill, Kansas

In 1972, Bob became involved in the production of the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. As one of three original co-founders, he was president of the Walnut Valley Association for over 40 years.

In 1999, the Festival was named the "Bluegrass Event of the Year" by the International Bluegrass Music Association. 

This past September the Walnut Valley Festival celebrated their 45th annual festival.

He was born July 2, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the son of Walt and Delilah (Price) Redford. He spent his childhood in Lyons, Kansas, until the family moved to a farm, later named the Dot R Ranch, near Burden in 1952. 

Bob graduated from Burden High School in 1956. Upon graduation, he spent the summer in the forestry service at Yellowstone National Park, a place where he often would take his family on vacations. Bob attended St. Johns College, Winfield, and Hutchinson Junior College in Hutchinson.

On June 22, 1958, he married Kendra Shively in Burden. In 1960, he was hired by the Northwestern National Life Insurance Company, becoming the youngest agent in the company. His career there spanned 25 years, during which time he repeatedly won the National Quality Award, an award bestowed upon those agents who rendered exceptionally outstanding service to policy owners and their community.

Bob had been a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters, and served as an officer of the local chapter: Southern Kansas Life Underwriters Association. Bob had been a member of the Tisdale United Methodist Church since 1952, having served in a number of offices and committees, and was a certified lay speaker for the church. He joined the Winfield Jaycees in 1960, serving in several leadership roles, and leading a number of projects; one of his favorites was the Toy Drive at Christmas. In 1973, he was selected as one of the "Outstanding Young Men of Kansas." In the same year, he was selected to participate in a three-month exchange trip to India through Rotary International. He was a member of the Winfield Rotary Club, the Masonic Lodge of Winfield and the Winfield Chamber of Commerce.

In September 2007, Bob received a Community Cornerstone Award for his lifelong dedication to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. In 2012, he was honored by Ingram's magazine as one of the "50 Kansans You Should Know." Bob's contributions were recognized in 2012 by Southwestern College, as he received the Business Builder Award.

He is survived by his wife Kendra and daughter Krystal, both of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Bart and Melinda of Olathe, KS.; and daughter-in-law Gail of Wichita, KS.; grandchildren, Kevin of Winfield and Kayla of Wichita, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Floyd Thomas; his son Brian, and daughter Keira.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Tisdale United Methodist Church east of Winfield. Interment will follow at Atlanta Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 P.M. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Bob's name for Tisdale United Methodist Church and the Alzheimer's Association. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.