Robert Patrick Kemmy

We are deeply saddened to announce that Robert “Bob” Patrick Kemmy, age 83, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully and ascended to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 20, 2025. Bob was born on September 20, 1942, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Winifred (née Langdon) and Joseph Francis Kemmy.

Bob graduated from Creighton Preparatory School, in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1960, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature at Creighton University, in 1964. Following that, in 1966, Bob earned his Master of Arts degree in English Literature at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and subsequently taught composition, linguistics, and rhetoric at the university, from 1966 to 1972, while simultaneously working as a candidate to attain his Ph.D. in English Literature.

Following his illustrious academic career, in 1972, Bob founded the Omaha-based American Learning Institute, a private tutorial firm specializing in English, writing, mathematics, academic counseling, and professional test-preparation services. Shortly thereafter, in 1974, Chicago-based Amoco Corporation recruited Bob to serve in its global Public and Government Affairs Department as Chief Writer and Senior Advisor, where he was responsible for writing and editing executive speeches and counseling senior management on communication strategies. In that role, Bob authored hundreds of speeches and testimonies for senior executives appearing before Congress, state legislatures, regulatory agencies, universities, civic, fraternal, and religious organizations, and a wide range of public forums. During his time at Amoco, Bob Kemmy produced a voluminous body of highly acclaimed and award-winning communication services and products for the corporation and its refining, marketing, and chemical-manufacturing subsidiaries.

Bob’s skills as a powerfully effective speechwriter also garnered significant attention among national government leaders and political figures. In 1996, Bob worked as a speechwriter and speech coach at the Republican National Convention, in San Diego, California, at which Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole became the nominee for President of the United States. Working backstage at the convention, Bob was part of an all-star speechwriting team – Aram Bakshian, Jr., (Director of Speechwriting to President Ronald Reagan), Jim Grohl ( Journalist and father of Nirvana and Foo Fighters Rock Superstar Dave Grohl), Robert Kelner (Attorney), Joe Matteo (Attorney), Eric D. Johnson, and Kent Barry – who wrote speeches for Governors, U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, industry leaders, movie stars, and other celebrities – and rehearsed them for their nationally broadcast television appearances.

Not long after retiring from Amoco Corporation, in 1997, Bob married “The Love of My Life” Ann Frances Koterla, the enchanting, vivacious, and supremely talented executive and colleague he met at Amoco. From the start, they were sweethearts, and over the course of their nearly 30-year marriage, they were blessed with an abundance of joy and love – and an ever-widening circle of true and faithful friends.

Throughout his career at Amoco, Bob contributed significantly to the company’s outstanding reputation in the oil industry. As a highly esteemed writer, editor, and advisor to some of America’s most influential business executives and government leaders, Bob’s industry, civic, and charitable contributions did not end in “retirement.” In fact, he achieved even greater success when, as founder and president, he launched the Kemmy Consulting Group to provide strategic planning, communications, media relations, and organizational consulting services to leading corporations throughout North America that included BP Amoco, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Nuveen, The Coastal Corporation, ANR Pipeline Company, Colorado Interstate Gas Company, the Fairmont Hotel of San Francisco, Standard Federal Bank, and the Paelan Corporation.

A devoted husband, father, mentor, and friend, Bob will be forever missed by all whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Ann (Koterla) Kemmy; his son, Matthew Dominic (and Stephanie) Kemmy; his daughter, Maureen “Molly” Elizabeth (and Adam) Fazio; his brother, Paul Joseph (and Jean) Kemmy, and their children, Dan, Mary Ann, and Brian); and his brother- and sister-in-law, Thomas Richard (and Lynn) Koterla, and their children, Rachael, Thomas, Andrew, and Kelsey.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Winifred Kemmy, and by his first wife, Ann Michal Kitzhaber.

In Loving Memory of Robert Patrick Kemmy . . .

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

Porter Loring Mortuary

2102 N. Loop 1604 East

San Antonio, Texas 78232

Family and friends are invited to gather, to remember, and to honor his life.

A reception will follow the service at Porter Loring Mortuary from 2:00-4:00pm.

The Family of Robert “Bob” Patrick Kemmy