Robert Francis Kennedy

DURHAM NC – Robert F. Kennedy (Bob), age 93, died at The Forest at Duke Continuing Care Retirement Community on September 5, 2023. He was born on October 20, 1929 to the late Helen Elizabeth (Jackson) and James Olin Kennedy.

Bob was born and raised in Connersville, IN where he graduated from Connersville Sr. High School in 1947. Bob held many jobs while attending high school, the most noteworthy being as a solo trombonist in Tommy Robbins Dance Band.

He then attended Ball State University in Muncie, IN where he earned a BS Degree in Social Sciences and Business. While at Ball State, he earned membership in the Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society and was chairman of the first Interfaith Religious Conference on campus.

Bob began his professional life in 1952 with the Crosley Division of Avco Corporation in Richmond, IN. He then began a long, productive career with Westinghouse Electric Corporation in various Human Resources roles, beginning as Wage and Salary Administrator in Mansfield, OH in 1956 and reaching the position of Director of Human Resources Operations in Pittsburgh, PA by the date of his retirement in 1988.

Bob had been acquainted with Margaret (Peg) Stiller in Connersville and they reconnected after high school, marrying in 1950. They went on to share a life, including raising seven children together in IN, OH and PA before they relocated to Tucson, AZ after Bob’s retirement. Their final move together was to La Posada in Green Valley, AZ. As a lifelong practicing Roman Catholic, and along with Peg, he especially enjoyed singing in the choir at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in Tucson and Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley.

After Peg’s death in 2016, Bob relocated in 2017 to Durham, NC. The family wishes to thank the many Forest at Duke team members who assisted and cared for Bob as his health failed.

During his active years, Bob enjoyed many pursuits including golf, tennis, biking, camping, duplicate bridge, woodworking, worldwide travel, and especially road travels with Peg as members of the Wally Byam Airstream Caravan Club. At various points, he also donated his time to the United Fund, acted as director of the Community Welfare Council and was an Advisory Council Member NAACP.

Robert is survived by Daughters Debbie Kennedy (husband Bill) of Durham, NC and Denise Kennedy (husband Myron) of Altamonte Springs, FL; Sons Jon Kennedy (wife Carol) of York, PA, Mark Kennedy (wife Chloe) of Los Angeles, CA, and Jim Kennedy (wife Dina) of Las Vegas, NV; Sister Sharon Kennedy Nolan (husband Larry) of Mansfield, TX; Niece Tiffany McCoy (husband Doug) of Arlington, TX, and Nephew Mark Nolan (wife Dawn) of Irving, TX; as well as a large number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great nieces, and great-great niece and nephew. Robert was preceded in death by beloved Wife Peg Kennedy, Sons Larry Gregory and Steven Charles, and Brother Jeffery Joseph.

A service will be held in early 2024 in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

The Kennedy family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.