John R. "Bob" Kennedy

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 will be 11:00 AM Friday, June 10, 2016 at St. Peter and Paul''s Catholic Church of Blue Earth (214 S. Holland St.), with a visitation Thursday, June 9, from 12 Noon to 8:00 PM at Patton Funeral Home, his family will be present from 4:00 PM to 8:00PM to greet those in attendance. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Fells Cemetery of Libertyville, IA. His services are being planned and cared for by his "family" at the Patton Funeral Home of Blue Earth. Bob was born October 12, 1965 in Keokuk, IA 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 IA, 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 strove 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 IA; father, Geoffrey (Lisa) Kennedy of Godfrey, IL; grandmother, Verlie Kennedy of Hamilton, IL; in-laws, Gale (Jan) Underwood of Danville, IA; 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 to the "Bob Kennedy Family Fund" which is set up at the First Bank of Blue Earth (306 S. Main Street 56013), for his three son''s future endeavors.