R. Kent Polfer, 72, of Leawood, Kansas passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at KC Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri surrounded by his loving family following a sixteen year battle with prostate cancer.
Kent was born February 11, 1949 at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas to Roy and Julia Kelly Polfer. He was the youngest of four children and was raised on the Polfer family farm, a place he loved and maintained until a few months before his death. As a child, Kent enjoyed tagging along with his older brother riding horses, camping, and accepting the occasional dare such as entering a bull riding contest or fetching an enormous rock from the bottom of a deep pond. Mostly, he enjoyed the competition of playing sports with his older brother and friends. His favorite sport was basketball which became a lifelong passion. As a senior at DeSoto High School, he was named a top 100 All American high school cager by Basketball Yearbook. He was also the Kansas Scoring Leader his senior year.
Kent graduated with undergraduate degrees in business and political science, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kansas State University. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and served loudly and proudly as rush chairman, president, and ace volleyball spiker. He was a K-State sports fanatic in general, and an expert statistician of 1950’s K-State basketball in particular. It was at K-State that he met his future bride, Barbara VanAllen.
After graduation, Kent began his professional career in the finance department of Business Men’s Assurance. In 1974, while at BMA, Kent took over the operation of the Polfer farm due to his father’s failing health. He sat at a desk until 5PM and then sat on a tractor until the farm work was done, often until midnight. When Coldwell Banker opened its Kansas City office, Kent pivoted to real estate brokerage. He gained valuable experience in marketing multifamily land while there and also made many lifelong friends and hunting buddies. He will be remembered as the first CB Poet Laureate.
Kent and Barb were married on June 28, 1980 following a lengthy courtship that included a college transfer for Barb. Kent established Polfer&Company Commercial Real Estate Services a few years later in 1983, again specializing in multifamily property sales and land for multifamily development. Kent always teased that he was “Polfer” and Barb was “&Company.”
While operating his own business, Kent had the flexibility to coach youth basketball, an avocation he took very seriously. He taught the fundamentals, ran drills like a sergeant, and expected his players to show up on time and do their jobs, always reminding them that defense wins games. He was proud of the multiple league championship titles his teams won, but the cards and letters he received from former players and their parents regarding the life lessons he taught meant more to him and were the real proof he had been a successful coach.
Kent and Barb welcomed their first daughter, Leigh, in 1985 and their youngest daughter, Kelby, in 1988. Strong fathers help to create strong, confident women and Kent took his role seriously. He was so proud to be their dad (and basketball coach). His daughters chose their mates wisely and Kent was delighted to become the father in law and friend of two extraordinary young men. He bragged that he finally had some extra testosterone in the family. He was also proud to be the grandfather of three granddaughters who adored him and affectionately called him Ticky.
Kent was an avid hunter of upland game and enjoyed running his dog, Maddie Lou, through the fields, thickets, and hedgerows of Phillips County, Kansas. He loved the camaraderie of the hunters and farmers with whom he built decades-long friendships. Like his father, he was a great story teller, even when telling the same stories he had told many times before. And his quick wit and ready laugh were as fast as his aim.
Kent was preceeded in death by his parents and a sister, Beverly Polfer Smith. He is survived by his wife, Barbara VanAllen Polfer, of the home; daughter Leigh VanAllen Cleaver (Tommy), Washington, DC; daughter Kelby Lorraine Stehl (Alex), Prairie Village; and granddaughters Carson Anne Cleaver, Whittaker Lorraine Stehl, and Kennedy VanAllen Cleaver; sister, Janice Kelly of Olathe; brother, Walter Neil Polfer (Mary) of Pittsburg; and his faithful dog, Maddie Lou.
A celebration of Kent’s life will take place on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 11AM in Kent’s barn at the Polfer Farm; 8820 Cedar Niles Road, Lenexa, with a reception following the service. Boots are welcome. The city of Lenexa prohibits parking along Cedar Niles Rd. Valet parking is available.
The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, plants, and meals during Kent’s recent battle. Your generosity meant so much to the entire family. We would also like to thank the staffs of KC Hospice and Palliative Care and the University of Kansas Cancer Center for their compassionate care. We especially want to recognize Dr. Manish Kohli for his innovative treatments which allowed Kent additional years of priceless time with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to KC Hospice and Palliative Care, Village Presbyterian Church, or Pheasants Forever. www.pheasantsforever.org
He was a charismatic man, gentle, kind and funny! There will be a place in heaven for you, RIP polfer.
It was our privilege to have been guests at the Polfer homestead for a memorable occasion with friends and family.
Wow I didn’t know that much about Kent until I met him on a personal project. He made me feel like a responsible real man and I feel honored to ever met him. If I knew beforehand his love for basketball we would have has many long conversations. I will have those conversations in the presence of of God and there we will be blessed by the best….
Kent was one of a kind and I never saw him without a smile or a twinkle in his eye especially for all of his girls. He will always be Coach to me, he started our girls basketball team at Belinder Grade School and turned those little girls into players with lifelong skills. I will forever be grateful for knowing him and getting to share so many fond memories. Rest In Peace Kent
That was a wonderful recognition of Kent’s life. Very meaningful! He was very special! May God continue to comfort you.
Wonderfully written. This conveys the fierce passion he had for life and family and your love for him. I’m so very sorry for your loss. What an incredible legacy he has left.
Thank you for always being such a great Mentor! Rest in Peace Polldog!
Barb,
Rebecca and I send our heart felt condolences to you and your loved ones. I know his wit, humor and love will be sorely missed.
Our thoughts and a prayer or two will be with you.
Doug
We are so sorry for your loss. He was such a fantastic guy, and my parents truly adored you both as “best neighbors ever”, not to mention the joy that Leigh and Kelby brought into their lives. Our thoughts are with your family.
Dearest Kentavros, Your bright smile and wit will be sorely missed as well as your kind friendship and generous heart. My heartfelt condolences to Barb and all your girls, their wonderful husbands, friends and family . Our heavens are shining brighter, my friend.
Kent was a wonderful part of the original CB team, and a pleasure to be with every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Barb, and your family. I will never forget the wonderful professional and personal times we had together. May GOD bless and take care of this great man and his family.
Reid & Barb Teaney
Sending you strength and comfort during this time and your loss, Barb. Please know I am thinking of you.
We will always have fond memories of our friend and business associate for over 40 years. Kent had a positive attitude and wonderful smile. Will miss our long conversations about business, sports, politics and any other topic that may come up. He was our friend and we will miss him. We extend our love and condolences to Barbara and the family.
Kent cared so much for people but especially children and young adults. Love You Barb and crew. I imagine there are lots of laughter & stories in heaven. ? Jer and Darrell
Uncle Kent was sure one of a kind! I will always remember how his crazy comments made me laugh and how he always made me feel special when we visited. I know his loss feels so big because his personality and heart were huge!
Prayers for all of you,
Katie Scarlett
I was Kent’s hairstylist. Every time he came to see me we would chat about his trips, family, grandchildren, friends, hunting, his dog, his farm. He would show me pictures of them too. He was incredibly proud and loved his family so much. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
Peace to you Barb, Leigh and Kelby. Kent was the BEST COACH ever who taught many life lessons to a small bunch of young basketball players that has transcended into the way we invest and care for teams we coach and children we raise. Never will forget how to play that TENACIOUS “D”!!! RIP Coach!
Barb,
It’s been a long time since we were together at the Polfer reunions. Bruce saw Kent’s obituary in the paper, and I sent a copy to Sue Ann In Fort Worth, and Bryon in Topeka. I remember your interest in genealogy, and your trip to Germany to research the Polfer ancestors. We want to send you & your family our heartfelt condolences. It sounds like Kent left behind a lot of happy memories with his family and friends.
Marilyn Schlosser