Robert E. Larocco

Robert Eugene Larocco, 64, of Kansas City, Missouri, headed for heaven November 30, 2024, surrounded by his children and grandchildren and held in the arms of his wife, Juliana Vanderberg Larocco. The family will hold a private gathering at the Larocco homestead at a future date. Information about the Robert E. Larocco Fund to provide training in basic mechanics to women and youth will be available soon. 

Robert was born December 4, 1959, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Billie June (Stephens) and Robert Eugene Larocco. His family moved often, but Rob’s favorite memories were of living in New Cuyama, California, where he developed a love for the mountains. “They are like a big hug,” he said. Though Rob had dyslexia and changed schools often, he persevered, graduating from Putnam City West High School in Oklahoma City in 1976.

Rob proudly worked for Fred Jones Manufacturing in Oklahoma City from around 1979 until 1996 where he remanufactured Ford crankshafts and served on the quality control team. Rob overcame an extraordinary challenge with cancer, then served on the staff of City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City where he met Juliana Larocco. In 1999, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, taking on an even greater challenge as husband to Juliana, and Dad to her children Laurel, Andrea and Aubrey.

Rob worked for Sam’s Club, Second Baptist Church of Liberty and Metropolitan Community Colleges until health issues forced his retirement in 2019. For the next five years, he focused on building minibikes and go karts for his grandchildren, and fixing every broken lawnmower, stalled car or gadget people brought his way. He channeled his creativity into steampunk lamps, nixie tube clocks, industrial sculptures and building computers. He and Juliana loved traveling, watching Chiefs and OU games, studying with “The Bible Project” and hanging out with family. Rob was generous, gentle and wise, and loved the Lord his God with all his heart, soul and mind.

He is survived by his wife Juliana, daughter Laurel Dae Gieselman and husband Alan; daughter Andrea Kristine Kumer and husband Kyle; son Aubrey Louis Rohlfing III and wife Sarah Walichko; and grandchildren Tyler, Trent, Kaleb, Taylor, Jaxon, Emma, Ada, Aubrey IV, Oliver, Lucia, Vada and Molly; sister Delena Jane McCarthy, and husband Scott; and brother Anthony Crusoe Larocco and wife Kim, along with numerous nieces and nephews.