Robert Leroy Brightup, 87, of Wichita, KS passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023. He was born November 9, 1936 at home in rural Stevens County, Kansas to Robert Everett and Mable Arlene (Perry) Brightup.  Leroy married Eva Marie Clark on August 7, 1955. They had four children: Robert Clark (deceased), Lisa Jan, Linda Marie, and Kevin Leroy. Leroy graduated from the Friends Academy in Haviland, Kansas in 1954, then attended Friends Bible College, graduating in 1956. He went on to attend Friends University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors; Nazarene Theological Seminary, earning a Bachelor of Divinity degree, and ultimately, the Iliff School of Theology where he earned a Doctor of Theology degree in 1970. Leroy was recorded as a minister of the Gospel by the Kansas Yearly Meeting of Friends in 1963 and pastored or co-pastored several Kansas Friends Meetings until the mid-1970s. In the fall of 1964, Leroy began a lifelong career at Friends University. He taught in the Religion & Philosophy department, served as the University Registrar for a few years, and eventually became the Chairman of the Religion & Philosophy Division, developing and helping to deploy the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry program. He retired from fulltime duties at Friends University in 2002, but continued to teach as an adjunctinstructor until 2011.

Leroy was a founding and active member of Northridge Friends Church, serving on the pastoral team in the early 1970s. He also enjoyed volunteering with several area organizations over the years following retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Arlene Brightup, wife Eva Marie (Clark) Brightup, infant son Robert C. Brightup, sister Margaret Brightup, and grandson Michael Byington. Survivors include daughters Lisa J. Tos-Brightup (Natalie), and Linda M. Stratton (Gene); and son, Kevin L. Brightup (Jennie), all of the Wichita area; brothers Earl D Brightup (Eloise) of Wichita, KS and Joseph L
Brightup (Jean) of Topeka, KS; 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10am on Wednesday, November 29 at Northridge Friends Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Leroy's name to the Friends University Student Scholarship Fund and sent to Friends University, Attn: Advancement Office, 2100 W University, Wichita, KS 67213.