Robert J. "Bob" Kendgia, age 72, of Kewaskum, died in his physical body to obtain his spiritual body to live with his Father on Tuesday November 22, 2011. Bob was on his way to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN when he passed.
He was born on October 27, 1939 in Bentleyville, PA to the late Joseph and Mary (Kibelbek) Kendgia. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 and became part of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Brag, NC. At the time of his separation from the army he held the rank of Spec 4.4.
On February 22, 1964 Bob was united in marriage to Betty Bulan in Castleton, NY. Bob then attended California State College in California, PA and obtained his bachelors degree in Science in Education on January 20, 1968. While attending school Bob worked with juvenile boys who were incarcerated and also did construction work.
Together they moved to the West Bend area and Bob taught school in the West Bend School District from 1968 until 1997, with his first teaching job in the Oak Knoll School, then Jackson, and retiring from Silverbrook in 1997. While teaching he also coached football at Silverbrook and baseball for the Jackson Recreation Department with a winning season championship.
During the summers Bob worked construction and was an electrician. Bob and Betty also opened the Parkside CafAC. in Jackson on September 17, 1983 while he continued teaching.
After his retirement Bob and his boy's, Scott and Dan, started Durabond Concrete in which Bob did many things, but his main part was being the boys mentor. Even in the past couple of months with MSA (Multiple Systems Atrophy) shutting his body down the boys kept him active by discussing various jobs and asking his advice. Before MSA Bob also battled with cancer in 2004.
Bob is survived by his wife, Betty; three children, Scott (Mary) Kendgia of West Bend, Julia (Dan) Preisinger of West Bend, and Robb Kendgia of Waterford, NY; his five grandchildren who received unconditional love from their grandpa, TJ Kendgia, Joel Koceja, Brody, McKenniah, and Faith Preisinger; a loving sister, Eloise Ciletti of Chandler, AZ; a sister-in-law, Barbara (Dick) Mooney of Nassau, NY; a brother-in-law, Clark (Regina) Bulan of Castleton, NY; an uncle, Anthony (Mary) Kibelbek of Boalsburg, PA; other relatives, many friends, along with his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Bob was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Joe Ciletti; and his most beloved niece, Darcy Holser.
A memorial Mass in remembrance of Bob will be held on Thursday December 1st at 2:30 pm at St. James Episcopal Church (148 S. 8th Ave.) with Fr. Kenneth Guy officiating. Visitation will be Thursday at the church from 11:30 am until 2:00pm with eulogies in church from 2:00pm until the time of Mass at 2:30pm. Inurnment will follow in St. James Columbarium.
Memorials to St. James Episcopal Church or SDS/MSA Foundation (8311 Brier Creek Parkway, Suite # 105-43, Raleigh, NC 27617) are greatly appreciated.
The family's love and gratitude for Bob's care are extended to Dr. Peter Cornelius and his nurse Cheryl, along with the doctors and staff at Froedtert, Aurora, and the Mayo Clinic.
Bob was ready to go home, but before he left he raised his children and grandchildren to give love to every human, and he literally did give his shirt to the less fortunate. He did many things for people that no one knew about. Bob always said "Do upon others as you would like others to do upon you, and seek no recognition, by giving love from the heart you are honoring your Father in Heaven". This was Bob and the way he led his life here on earth.