James Ascher, Sr.

James J. Ascher, Sr., 93, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.  Jim was born in 1928 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in KCMO to proud parents Bordner Frederick and Helen Laura Ascher.  After attending the University of Kansas and serving in the Korean war, he married the love of his life Mary Ellen Robitsch in 1954.  They were together for 66 glorious years before her passing in 2020.

Jim was a very successful businessman in the pharmaceutical industry with a career spanning 56 years.  Upon his father’s death in 1958, he led B.F. Ascher & Co., Inc. successfully until his retirement in 2010.  His greatest joy was working alongside the many talented individuals that made up the company.  He gave new employees an opportunity to excel, which they did, and he loved every minute of it.

Jim was very active in the KC metro area being a past president of Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City.  He was a long-time member of Rotary Club 13 of Kansas City and the Mercury Club of Kansas City.  One of Jim’s greatest joys was serving on the Board of Directors of Children’s Mercy Hospital for many years.

Jim and his wife Mary Ellen (a Registered Nurse) created the Mary Ellen Ascher Endowed Nursing Scholarship at Children’s Mercy Hospital as well as the Mary Ellen Ascher Nursing Scholarship fund at St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University.  Together, Jim and Mary Ellen have left a lasting legacy in providing scholarships for nursing students for generations to come.

Jim is preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Ellen (2020) and is survived by his daughter Jillian Webb (Ned), his two sons Jim Jr (Allece) and Chris (Cindy); his nephew David Schouweiler (Donna); as well as his six grandchildren, Johnathan, Carter, Andrew, Mary, Emily and Laura.  Jim was an exceptional husband, father and grandad.  He will be greatly missed.

There will be a visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 8th at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, Ks 66204.  There will be a Mass immediately following (live stream links below).   Per Jim’s wishes, he will then be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, KS.

For those who wish to do so, in lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial gifts be made to the charity of your choice.

If you would like to live stream Mass at 10:30 a.m., please click the links below:

www.queenoftheholyrosary.org

Facebook: facebook.com/queenoftheholyrosary