Robert James Kenner was born February 22, 1931 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He passed away at Clarkson Health Care Facility on October 5, 2019. Robert (Bob) was the son of Howard and Vera Kenner, the younger of two children. Following graduation at Rapid City High School, he attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering in 1952. Immediately following graduation, he married Patricia Maguire, enjoying 61 years together.

In 1952, Bob and Pat relocated from Rapid City to Kansas where Bob worked for Gulf Oil. During their two years in Kansas, their first son, Mark was born. Following Mark’s birth, they returned to Rapid City for Bob to manage the family business, Howard’s Body Shop. Bob and Pat’s next six children were born in Rapid City; their seven children were born over 9 ½ years. Needless to say, the Kenner household was a very busy place and a little chaotic at times throughout the couple’s life together.

Bob, his brother Loren, and Howard’s Body Shop were prominent figures in downtown Rapid City. Through the body shop Bob supported scouting, youth baseball and other activities in the Rapid City community. Bob was an avid sports fan, playing golf through most of his life and a diehard Hardrocker and Broncos fan. Bob studied music from a very young age and developed his natural musical gifts. His love for music became only second to his love for family.

In Bob’s memory, donations can be made to the Mark James Kenner Memorial Scholarship at the South Dakota Mines Foundation.