Robert "Ricky Bobby" Lee Kessinger III

Robert "Ricky Bobby" Lee Kessinger III, age 29 of Fort Wayne, Indiana finished his race on Friday, June 14. He came into the world kicking and screaming on March 20, 1995 in Columbia City to Jason Lee Waters and Suzanne Sowers.

He accomplished so many things in his short 29 years. Nothing held him back from learning just about any trade he could. Construction, roofing, property preservation, factory work, but nothing beat his first passion, tattooing. Robert was truly an incredible artist, whether it was tattooing or drawing, he was great at anything he tried.

Most knew him to be the “tough guy” but under that hard exterior was an incredibly giving, loving, and caring man. He would fight for anyone who couldn’t fight for themselves. Always jumping at any opportunity to help his family and friends or even a complete stranger. He loved teaching his girls how to bait a hook and change a tire. They loved teaching him how to paint nails and do makeup. To say he’ll be missed is the biggest understatement of all time. The world won’t be the same without his goofy sense of humor, quick wit, pranks and of course, his art. He also loved anything with an engine and could probably name just about any car he could see. He’s a very talented self proclaimed “YouTube mechanic”. He’s also an avid lover of the outdoors, animals and anything to do with water. Especially if it meant he had a fishing pole in his hand. If you ask him, he’s a professional fisherman. A fully loaded tackle box was never out of reach. He is so incredibly loved and respected by many, his friends always became more like family. His smile truly did light up any room he was in and his laugh was infectious. As he would say “It’s never goodbye-it’s I’ll see you later!”

His love and light will live on through his children, Robert "RJ" Lee IV, Laina, Amara, and Athena Kessinger who mean the absolute world to him; along with the absolute love of his life, his wife, Areil Kessinger; parents, Jason Lee Waters and Suzanne (Jason) Sowers; he was the oldest (and somehow the shortest) of all his brothers, Brennen, Damon, Dakota, Chad, Keegan, and Josef; grandparents, Kathy (Roger) Felger and Rose “Nana” (Brian) Hein. Along with countless friends and family who love him dearly.

He will be greeted on the other side by his maternal great-grandparents, Robert Lee (Violet “Granny”) Kessinger II, paternal great-grandmother, Wava Duckworth; grandfather, Al Waters; mother-in-law, Janice Collins; and brother, Michael “Mikey” Kelly; and his dog, Wednesday.