Robert Edward Kehl

57 years, passed after a brave, hard fought battle with leukemia. He is remembered fondly by wife, Colleen, of 31 years, daughters Natalie and Meagan, family and many friends along with his little buddy, Buffy. Rob was past President of the Windsor Home Builder's Association, owned and operated Oxley Construction for 21 years before joining the Rosati Group as site superintendent. A special thanks to the Rosati Group who were always at his side and to his special angel, Olivia Rosati. His passions included restoring cars, woodworking, and tropical fish. For those wishing to celebrate his life we ask that you give gifts of used clothing, food or monetary donations to Rob's favourite charity, Men United For God, (519) 478-1937. A private ceremony has been held followed by cremation and he will rest in the Neptune Society's Memorial Reef (www.neptunesociety.com/memorial-reef). Please join us in remembering Robert by visiting his memorial at www.andersonfuneralhomewindsor.com

"This fall marks four years since my dad was diagnosed with myelofibrosis. The doctor said that when my dad first walked into his office he was built like an Ox. He was approximately 5'9 and over 200 pounds of muscle, aside from his beer belly. The past four years took a devastating toll on him. He went from an Ox to the stature and health of a 90 year old man. When he dies it is not a time to be sad, that would be selfish. My dad will finally be out of pain and set free. We should be happy that he will be able to fly painlessly in a world where the grass is always raked in one direction, everyone is up at 5:00 am, and no one is [messing around].

My dad would want to be remembered in the times he was healthy. My dad started working in grade school on job sites. He later formed his own construction company and was president of the Windsor Home Builders Association. Sadly on the webpage listing former presidents he will soon have two asterisks next to his name indicating a deceased member. My dad was a very smart man. His brains and his hands could create and accomplish wonderful things. My dad was always very interested in cars. Together with my sister they built a Cobra replica, and restored two Corvettes. He was also a member of the local Corvette club.

While I may not be physically identical to my father he has passed on many personality traits and lessons. My dad and I are both very stubborn. Although stubborn can be another word for determined. Determination is what kept him going long after he should have passed, and is what pushes me to persevere when faced with challenges. My dad was hard working. As a kid he told me about working in the bowling alley resetting pins. He said that he worked hard and allowed the game to move faster. Afterwards the men would come back and give him a pop or bag of chips to express gratitude for not [messing around] like the other kids. While I am considered a hard worker I don't know that I will ever compare to my dad. My dad would have an insatiable appetite for accumulating knowledge in a specific area of interest. He knows a ton about housing, landscaping, boats, RV's, car washes, classic cars, cooking, and fish. I thank him for this trait. Like him, I will research for hours on a topic of interest, not coincidentally mine are in many aspects of housing. My dad could be funny, he had good one liners. I am not considered funny on purpose, Meg got the witty humor skills. My dad took no prisoners and no excuses. No piece of framing was too heavy to lift, there was no excuse not to dig up and move a tree. Without a son my sister and I were his primary helpers. I think that helped to break gender stereotypes and pushed us further in life. I was the worker on the job sites, and Meg the one who worked on cars. I personally learnt a girl could be strong enough. A girl can accomplish what a man can in a men's dominated world. Much like him I do not take no for an answer and will accomplish what I set out to do.

We can be sad my dad is leaving us, but that would be selfish. Instead be happy he is finally free from the pain and let him live through the lessons he has taught us. I am sure as I develop my basement he will be right there cursing that I am not sweeping in a certain direction and at a certain angle. He will be trying to yell the most efficient way to do something and perhaps in the back of my brain I will hear him. But most of all he will be proud, because that is what he is of my sister and I. Arguably, of all the accomplishments listed, the greatest one was us."