Robert (or Bob as many know him by) was born in Western Kansas in 1932 and was raised on his father's grain and cattle ranch. In his early years, he attended a one-room school house until he was in the 8th grade. Bob was a true cowboy, through and through. He had attended many rodeos as his father and uncle owned a small rodeo company. This would spark a lifelong love of rodeos and even getting to compete in them. He competed in his first rodeo on Labor Day of 1947 in Natoma, Kansas in the bareback riding and bull riding events because, "all the girls came to watch that event."
Bob temporarily set down his lasso in 1951 when he proudly went to serve our country in the United States Air Force until 1955. After leaving the Air Force, Bob pursued a career with the Kinder Morgan Energy Company in Tucson, Arizona. In 1961, Bob would pick up his lasso again and entered in roping during the Nevada Rodeo leading to his membership with the Nevada Cowboys Association. In 1962, Bob married his wife Nancie and together they set off on building their life together. This life would lead to many well lived adventures, as his job came with many opportunities to travel around the Western United States for the underground petroleum pipeline. Bob was offered the Area Manager position with Kinder Morgan in 1983, where he, Nancie, and their 3 children set off for Clovis, California.
When they moved to Clovis, Bob was introduced to the Clovis Rodeo Association by Carlos Watkins. Between owning his own small horse and cattle ranch and joining the Clovis Rodeo Association, he also became a member with the California Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association. After decades of working with the Clovis Rodeo Association, Bob was recognized as a Grand Marshal for the 2015 Clovis Rodeo, a highlight and culmination of his lifelong work with rodeos.
Robert is survived by his wife, Nancie C. Kennedy; his daughter Gail J. Kennedy Bennett (Gerry); his son Robert D. Kennedy (Debbie); and his daughter Shanna Kennedy Rahming (Roger); his sister-in-law Judith Bruce Burger; his grandchild Bryce Kennedy (Samantha), his grandchild Ashleigh Rahming, his grandchild Nicole "Niki" Rahming, his grandchild Blake Kennedy and his great grandchild Theodore Kennedy.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Kennedy family.
