Robert Louis Kennedy

Robert Louis Kennedy passed peacefully into his heavenly reward on June 14, 2026, at N. C. Little Hospice in Edina, Minnesota. Robert, or "Bob" as most people knew him, was born on July 18, 1936, to Frank Ivan and Lucile Kennedy in Springfield, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Tom and Jack, his daughter Stamatia, and his loving wife, Hope. He is survived by his children George (Robyn) Kennedy and Christina (David) Sluka, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Bob enlisted in the Navy when he was eighteen (1954) and was stationed in San Diego where he trained pilots on flight simulators. He later went to college and graduated with degrees in mathematics (major) and English literature (minor). His first job was working for the American Shoe Company (now Frye). He sold automated nailing machines when they first were invented to companies making shipping pallets. Later, Texas Instruments hired him to sell metal products, which led him to the world of electronics with Fairchild Semiconductor. That industry experience spurred him to start his own manufacturer's representative company where he invested most of his career. He was well known in the upper Midwest for his integrity, hard work, and faith. In 1971 he was struggling with alcohol addiction. He was at the point of suicide when he walked into St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church and met with Father Anthony. Father Anthony helped him regain his faith in God and encouraged him to call Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). That moment was transformational for Bob. He dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and served his family, the church, and people struggling with various addictions for over fifty-five years until his final days. He also taught Sunday School, staffed Bible camps, and led and participated in several Bible studies. He served as the chairman for the Minnesota Family Council, Metro Hope Ministries, Healing House, various prison ministries, and St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church. He also helped a local chapter of AA in many capacities. He humbly served, overcome by the grace that God had extended to him. He was generous with his time, talent, and treasure, modeling what it meant to serve Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations in honor of Bob Kennedy to Healing House for Women (c/o Metro Hope Ministries), Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry of Minnesota, or Prison Fellowship. Gifts may be made at https://www.metrohope.org/donate, https://www.ocpm-mn.org/donate, https://secure.prisonfellowship.org/donate/restore. A viewing for Bob Kennedy will be Wednesday, June 17, from 5-7 p.m. at the Washburn-McReavy chapel, 5000 West 50th & Highway 100, Edina. There will be a short service at 6 p.m. to honor Bob. The funeral will be the next day, June 18, at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave S, Minneapolis, with a dinner reception about 4 p.m. following the service and family burial.

Robert Louis Kennedy

July 18, 1936 - June 14, 2026

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