"Dad, You were everything to me. You were intelligent, loving giving and humble. Always thinking only of others. You left a footprint that no human will fill. You were my mountain. I've missed you so much since the day you passed in my arms. I look forward to the day I will be in yours. "The Baby""
In loving memory of
Robert Kempenaar
March 12, 1923 - March 29, 2008
Newport, RI - Robert Kempenaar, 85, of Boca Raton, FL and formerly of Middletown, RI, died with his family by his side on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Village House Nursing Home, Newport, RI. He was the husband of Catherine Crombie Kempenaar of Boca Raton, FL. Born in Newport, RI on March 12, 1923, he was the son of the late Esau and Saime Makinen Kempenaar.Mr. Kempenaar graduated from Rogers High School and attended the University of Massachusetts where he studied Ornamental Horticulture. He served as a Sergeant in the 462nd Army Air Force Base Unit from 1941 to 1945 during World War II. Mr. Kempenaar was treasurer of the family business, Boulevard Nursery and Kempenaar Real Estate. He hosted the annual foreign officers bake at Kempenaar Clambake Club. Along with his father and brothers he was instrumental in the development of the commercial end of the family business located in Middletown. Mr. Kempenaar was involved in many community affairs. He was a member of the Middletown School Committee, elected to the Presidency of the Rhode Island Nurserymens Association in 1957, was named 1968 Small Businessman of the Year, was appointed to the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the University of Rhode Island, was a member of the Newport County Chambers of commerce, a member of the Naval Affairs Council, the Navy League of the United States, and the Rhode Island Police of Chiefs Association. Mr. Kempenaar Co-chaired the $1 Million dollar fund raising program for the new YMCA in 1973. He was also a member of the Rhode Island Heritage committee, past board member of the former Bank of Newport and a member of Wanomatomy golf course. In his free time he spent many days in the summer on his boat the Dutch Treat with his family and friends.Besides his wife he was the beloved father of Carol Kempenaar, Shirley Kempenaar Petersen, Robert Rocky Kempenaar and Kathy Kempenaar Sundin.He was the brother of Frederick Kempenaar.He was the grandfather of Vaughan Lazar, Lee Kathryn DeCosta, Robert Lazar, Trevor Healy, Kajsa Kempenaar and Alexandra Healey as well as step grandfather to Monique Gaston and Chantal Gaston as well as great grandfather of Phoebe Davis Lazar and Allison Lazar.Mr. Kempenaar was father in law to Hans Cortsen, Alan Petersen, Linda Koziara Kempenaar and Fred Sundin.He was uncle to Gloria Jean Kempenaar Dunn, Sharon Kempenaar Carter, Christopher Bacon, James Crombie, Amy Crombie, Richard Toner, Daniel Ashworth, Donna Ashworth, Michael Crombie, Linda Crombie, Joanne Bacon Gracia, Bobby Ashworth, Daniel Toner, Kathy Toner, Cynthia Toner Gaudet and John Kempenaar.Mr. Kempenaar was the brother in law of Norman Crombie of California, Mary Jean and Richard Toner, Jean Kempenaar, Bob Ashworth.Mr. Kempenaar was the son in law the late Nellie and James Crombie, brother of the late Charles Buster Kempenaar, Gloria Kempenaar Bacon and Anna Marie Kempenaar Ashworth he was uncle of the late Charles Chuckie Kempenaar, Cynthia Bacon and Diana Bacon as well as brother in law of the late Shirley Crombie, James Crombie, Dr. Osmer Bacon and Nancy Kempenaar Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 8:00am from the Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway at Vernon Avenue Newport.Burial will take place in St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown.Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4 - 8pm in the Hambly Funeral Home.Memorial donations may be made to Village House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Alzheimer Unit, 70 Harrison Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, or to the Boys and Girls Club Of Newport County Inc., 95 Church Street, Newport, RI 02840.
Tributes
"Mrs.K, Kathy, Rocky & Family, Sorry to hear of your loss. My late father Clyde Allen was a good friend of Bobs. I remember picking the best Christmas Tree each year in the early 1960s when I was Rocky's age. God Bless, Russell palmbeachflorida@aol.com"
"Sorry to hear of your loss Bob Duce"
"To the entire family of Bob Kempenaar we send our deepest condolences. Some of you we know personally some we have heard of but all of you are in our thoughts & prayers. May God guide you and give you strength during your time of sorrow."
"Poppa, Even though I could not be there for your passing physically, I was there in spirit - I hope you know that. You are and always will be a terrific grandfather and I will always remember everything that you did for me. You are truly an inspirational person and I miss you terribly. Until I see you again, I will always cherish our times at the golf course and cooking your famous pancakes! Love, Katie **"
"Dear Kathy, I know this is a great loss and difficult time for you and your family. I wish you peace and comfort in the loving memories of your father. He will remain in the hearts of all he has touched through you."
"Dear Shirley, I know its been years since we worked together at Newport Hospital, but I wanted to send you my condolences on the loss of your Dad. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please know you have many friends who are thinking and praying for you and your family right now, and even tho it doesn't make the pain of loss any easier, the strength of friendship will help you all along the way. Your Dad will always be in your heart, so he'll never be far away. Love and hugs, Mary Collins"
"Dear Kay, Carol, Shirley, Rocky and Kathy. It is with great sadness I write you this note. I am so sorry to hear of the death of "Bobby". What a wonderful, bright and kind man. I loved talking business with him and loved his sense of humor. We will be thinking about you this weekend and hope you are all well. I was very lucky to know this special man."
"To the Kempenaar's from the Duke family--For sure this is an end of a wonderful era, the families grew up together in school and sports.We all remember Pop Warner football supported 100% by Bob. All the many wonderful times our families had over the growing up years. We Duke's offer our sincere condolences."
"Dear Carol and Kathy, My sincerest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your Dad. He has left a tremendous legacy. May memories and love live in your hearts forever. Sincerely, Rosemary Davidson"
"Shirley Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss."
"Dear Shirley & Family, Our thoughts & prayers go out to you. Your Dad was a very special man & we will always remember great times spent with him. With love, Sandy & Norman Crombie"
"We all send our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. May you remember he is in a much better place now. Our love and prayers are with you. The Crombie's and Families"
"What a wonderful legacy he has left behind in the form of his daughter Kathy. I am blessed to know her and grateful to the man responsible for her upbringing. I know of him only through the treasured memories that Kathy has shared- what a beautiful person he was."
"Mrs.K, Carol, Shirley, Rocky and Kathy and families, Our sympathy to you all. So many great memories from a great man.He never got angry over the spilt sodas at Liggetts. Always smiling. From the awight girl. Lots of love. Susan, Mark and family"
"Dear Kay, Shirley, Rocky, Cathy and Carol, Sorry to hear about the passing of your Father. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time."
"To Rocky, Linda and family, I would like to express my deepest condolensces for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you . In Deepest Sympathy, Gary R Pawloski"
"Kathy & Family, Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. May the warm and loving memories you have bring you peace and comfort always."
"My thoughts and prayers are with all the family of Bob's. A wonderful,wonderful friend."
"Dear ShirleyMom#2, Alan and Katie, I hope that your memories give you strength during this difficult time. Todd, TJ and I are always thinking of you and will keep you in our prayers. Love, Daughter#2"
"Dear Carol and Family, Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of sorrow. Best regards, -Sonny Behan-"
"Mrs K, Rocky, Cathy, Shirley,and Carol, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. I am sure Carty is waiting with open arms for his good friend "Robbie" he was a great man. Peace"
"Kay,Rocky,Carol,Shirley, and Cathy I am very sad to hear about the passing of your husband and father. I have many fond memories of Mr.K . The Middletown F.O.P. Hall is one example of his many gifts to the Town of Middletown. Frank Toner"
"Rocky, Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. With Deepest Sympathy, AJ"
"To: Rocky, I failed type my whole name, on the last entry, my apologies. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Ken "Buzz" Riley"
"To: Rocky and the Kempenaar Family, Mr.Kempenaar was a "silent inspiration" to me from years past, he was a "man with Integrity, Sincereness and Aplomb". My condolences,"
"Our hearts go out to you all. May he be in peace now. Love & prayers to our old friends. Sonny & Gerry West Palm Beach, Florida"
"Shirley & Al, We all send our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your beloved Father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Ellen, Karen, Carol, Barbara, Marilyn & Joe"
"Dear Rocky and family, Sorry to see that your dad has passed on hopefully he'll look up my dad!! My thoughts are with you in this difficult time! Laurie"
"Katie: We were sorry to hear about your grandfather's Passing. We know how close you were to him, you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts during this difficult time. Love, Kathy and John Cordeiro"
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy and loving prayers to the Kempenaar family at this very difficult time-I was extremely fortunate to know Mr. K and spend quality time with him-I will always cherish the memories of his charachter,humor, and most of all his gentle kindness. He will be forever in my heart. Thoughts and prayers, PJ Marcella"
"Dear Dad: You were the Greatest Dad, and I want to Thank You for always being there for me. I love you and will look forward to being together again, until then I will miss you. Love Shirley"
"Dear Rocky and family, We are truly sorry to read of the passing of your dad. He goes back many years in our memory and has always been a supporter of our police and fire departments as well as other civic organizations. The Town has lost one of its best citizens. He is in our prayers, bob and pauline"