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John R. “Bob” Kennedy, 50

Jun 12, 2016

Bob Kennedy

Blue Earth John R. “Bob” Kennedy, our funeral director, dear friend, husband and proud dad, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 5, 2016 with his wife and sons at his side at the age of 50, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

A Celebration of his life was held on Friday, June 10, 2016, at St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church of Blue Earth. Burial was in the Fells Cemetery of Libertyville, Iowa. His services were planned and cared for by his “family” at the Patton Funeral Home of Blue Earth.

Bob was born Oct.12, 1965 in Keokuk, Iowa to Geoffrey and Karen (Jennings) Kennedy. He graduated in 1984 from Oelwein High School, attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated from Chicago’s Worsham College of Mortuary Science on April 11, 1988.

Once Bob began his funeral apprenticeship at the Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, Iowa, he met Dawn and together they began their journey from Iowa City to Marshalltown, where they were married on April 22, 1995. Bob was active in the Marshalltown Jaycees, and was known for re-establishing the Nightmare on Main Street Haunted House. He enjoyed softball, golfing and riding his motorcycle, and in October of 1996, Bob and Dawn welcomed their first son, Jack.

In October of 1999, Bob and his family took the opportunity to manage the Patton Funeral Home of Blue Earth, excited to raise a family in a small community. In January of 2000, second son, Jared, joined the family, and in March of 2002 their third son, Justin, was born. Bob was a dedicated father and family man, teaching his boys all of his knowledge of life and of course, baseball! He loved his three boys with all his heart and will be remembered as a dad who attended their life moments, games (be it sports or video), and valued each and every moment he got to spend with Jack, Jared and Justin.

For 17 years Bob was a funeral director in the Blue Earth area, and gave his service and support to over 1,700 families while at Patton’s. Bob was a passionate director, and strived to go above and beyond the needs of every family who walked through the doors of the funeral home he helped design. To show his care and love for the community, Bob chose a staff at the funeral home that was, and will continue to be, caring and dedicated to all. Bob truly had a second family at Patton Funeral Home.

John Robert Kennedy loved sports; playing, coaching, spectating and umping made Bob happy. He attended as many BEA basketball, baseball and football games as possible. The Iowa Hawkeyes were undeniably his favorite team (sorry Rob). Bob was proud of his 13 year commitment to the “B’s or Better Breakfast” for the BEA middle school academic achievers. He was a longtime member of the Lions Club, and a well-known volunteer for many community events. Bob will be remembered for his humorous antics, friendships, meticulous attention to details, true love for his family, and wowing the little old church ladies with his “perfect hair!”

Bob leaves behind his wife of 21 years, Dawn; his three sons, Jack, Jared and Justin Kennedy; mother, Karen Kennedy, of Marshalltown, Iowa; father, Geoffrey (Lisa) Kennedy, of Godfrey, Illinois; grandmother, Verlie Kennedy, of Hamilton, Illinois; in-laws, Gale (Jan) Underwood, of Danville, Iowa; many cousins, extended family, close friends, families he served, and a community he was proud to be a part of.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; infant sister, Mary Ann Kennedy; brother, Todd Kennedy; and brother-in-law, Bryan Underwood.

In lieu of flowers, and to save the backs of his funeral staff, Bob’s direct wishes were to have any gifts be made out the “Bob Kennedy Family Fund” which is set up at the First Bank Blue Earth, 306 S. Main Street, Blue Earth, MN 56013, for his three son’s future endeavors.

Online information and condolences can be shared at www.pattonfh.com