Kristyne would walk in the room and her dad’s eyes lit up with joy. The twinkle in his eyes  and cheerful smile, always greeted me with acceptance and interest. I’m honored I was able to share this unforgettable moment with your family. 

I have been fortunate to have reaped the benefits and the extra pounds from a few of Bob's famous dinners!  Lol!


I feel truly blessed to have known and love Bob as part of our family. It warms my heart to know how much he meant to everyone whose lives he has touched. 

One of the most treasured moments of my life was a conversation that I had with Bob and Sue, just a little over a year ago. It was a difficult time for the Patrie family as we were helping our elderly parents, Don & Carmen, relocate from their home of 40 years in Florida to Connecticut. Bob, with his profound words of wisdom and insight on how this move was affecting not just us kids, but, our parents, helped provide me with a better perspective of the whole situation. The love, honesty and sincerity of our conversation gave me the sense of calm and reassurance that I needed to know everything would be just fine. And it is. Thank you!

God Bless you, Bob. You are in our hearts forever!

I love you! Joann Patrie Missey

Bob was a special "guy" for me, like a brother. We were opposites in many ways. A Kansas farm boy and a NYC college man; a naval officer and doctor vs. an enlisted airman and small college graduate. Yet, we liked each other! I always looked forward to meeting him for ball games and just plain talk. I will miss him, but, we will meet again soon and continue our friendship.

God Bless You, Bob & Sue. 

Love, Don & Carmen Patrie

Bob was a very special friend. When I graduated he almost hired me to work on a project that was looking at ways to repel sharks in open waters. My dissertation involved the use of very intense infrasound to stimulate the vestibular system. He had an idea that we could use this technique to make sharks dizzy. Thankfully the project never came to fruition. I hated to ride the waves in small ships, and that was Bob’s idea of fun. I do believe that Bob was made to sail in the North Sea or ride the slow rotation room at the naval air station in Pensacola. Don Patrie  was so right when he talked about dining with Bob; a once in a life -time experience. and if you were struggling with a problem Bob was always ready to help. To say that Bob will be missed is an understatement. Thank you Bob and his family for sharing one of the most remarkable men that our science could have – Mill Reschke

Bob Kennedy was an amazing, unforgettable person.  His impact on my life - and that of so many others - has been indescribable.  I am eternally grateful to him.

Someone once said that: leadership is the ability to transform vision into reality.  Bob was clearly a leader. In the late 60s and early 70s, I served in the Navy under Bob in both Pensacola Fl and at Pt Mugu, CA, where we got to meet Bob’s wonderful family. We were both New Yorkers in “foreign lands“ so we hit it off well. 

Bob was one-of-a-kind. Not only was he technically competent but he was always willing to share that competence.  He saw real connections that most of us missed. I was always amazed by his ability to create testable hypotheses and to back them up with reference to the literature.  I expect, that now that he is safely home, he is still asking challenging questions. Bob was more than a “walking Wikipedia” in the areas of aviation. aerospace, human factors and psychology. He is a major node in an ever-expanding sociogram of researchers and practitioners. 
Bob was an indefatigable mentor and I for one owe a lot to him and will miss him as a mentor and a friend. I know that I am not alone for he has mentored many others. I think that was his gift to the world. 

My thoughts at this time turn to Lincoln’s memorialization of those who died at Gettysburg.  He said, “It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” Bob provided us with a model for mentoring, which we should emulate in whatever way we can.  
Bob, enjoy your well-earned rest!


One of my fondest memories of Bob is when he would invite you out for one of his famous "Bob Dinners". A "Bob Dinner" was not your normal night eating out. It was always at an excellent restaurant and it would last at least 4 hours. Whether it was Del Friscos or Antonios, we always had way too many appetizers, entrees and wine. But never too much to hit the piano bar afterwards! It was guaranteed to be a fabulous night. Another thing I loved were conversations with Bob.  I always learned something new. He was truly a wealth of information. Whether it was about something crazy that happened in one of his expert witness legal cases or an NFL football game that we were watching, Bob always had an interesting take on things. Bob was a kind, gentle and generous person. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Love and miss you Bob! ~ Don Patrie Jr and Family

OBITUARY

Robert Samuel Kennedy

10 January, 1936 – 16 December, 2019

Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod/Winter Park Funeral Home

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