Robert Dean Cochran

Robert “Bob” Dean Cochran, 72, of Wichita, KS passed away on November 4, 2024.

Bob was born on June 6, 1952 to Lloyd Grant Cochran and Irene Eunice Cochran in Denver, Colorado. Bob lived for significant periods of his life in New Orleans and Colorado Springs in addition to calling Wichita home. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers Gerald Wayne and Stephen George Cochran, and best friend Paul West.

Bob took great pride in his recovery program and long career as a licensed substance abuse counselor. After a significant career working for a variety of treatment facilities, he became the founder and CEO of the Recovery Services Council (RSC). He was beloved by his clients and cared deeply for each individual he had the honor of counseling.

Bob was the proud father of Robert Allen Cochran, from his first marriage to Lois Nadine Paxton. He fathered two more children who he loved deeply, Tyler Grant Cochran and Irene Eunice Cochran, from his second marriage to Lisa Lee Shelton.

Bob loved animals and had a special propensity for wolfdogs. He founded and cultivated a North American Arctic breed, which he named “Cheyenne” in honor of all the tribes and nations of Native-American heritage. A few of his most precious wolfdogs included “Beast” and “Cloud,” the father of the Cheyenne line.

Bob was a devout Catholic who also adhered to the spirit and teachings of the native people. He was a spiritual poet whose devotional writing touched many. “The fire and the rose are one,” and “quiet to the sound of many waters, listen to the wind” were two of his favorite one-liners.

Bob idolized the late, great John F. Kennedy and showcased many priceless heirlooms in a vast collection of Kennedy memorabilia. Each year Bob traveled to Dallas and was given the honor of reading one of his prayers at the John F. Kennedy Memorial celebration.

Bob is survived by his sister Kathy Ann Cochran (the glue of the Cochran family), sons Robert and Tyler Cochran, daughter Irene Cochran, grandchildren Solomon Grant Cochran, Austin Elijah Cochran, Isabel Grace Cochran, William Grant Cochran, Nova Reign Cochran, and Emma Ann Cochran as well as his right-hand man at the time of his death, Christian Spencer.

Services will be held on November 19 at 10:30 AM at Smith Mortuary in Derby, KS. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Kansas Humane Society to honor Bob’s rare and precious love for animals and all of life.