Robert Kennard

Robert Kennard
August 17, 1951 - January 14, 2026
Longtime Lucasville Resident
FC Daehler Mortuary

Robert Reed Kennard, 74, a long-time resident of Lucasville, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Born August 17, 1951, in Maysville, Kentucky, to the late Irene (Kirk) Kennard and Robert Harry Kennard, Bob was also preceded in death by his sister, Donna Kennard.

Bob was a 1969 graduate of McKell High School in Kentucky. A lifelong learner, he completed coursework at several institutions, including Morehead State University, Shawnee State University, and Ashland Community College, where he earned multiple college degrees in different fields.

Bob had a dedicated work ethic that was unmatched. Although all his positions and service over the years are too numerous to list, he spent much of his career as a proud member of Millwright Local Unions 1519 and later 1090. He also worked for Martin Marietta (later Lockheed Martin Energy Systems) at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio, and served as a construction Safety and Health Consultant, traveling throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and across the country conducting inspections and providing training.

A lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan, Bob was a man of many talents and varied interests, teaching himself and becoming knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics - everything from genealogy and speaking Spanish to playing guitar and knife throwing, to becoming a licensed amateur radio operator, earning the highest class of certification and spending countless hours connecting with other operators and confirming long-distance contacts.

Early in life, Bob was an avid golfer and a dedicated martial artist, earning a 3rd Degree Black Belt in judo and a 6th Degree Black Belt in karate. He taught both disciplines for many years in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Later in life, Bob traded in his motorcycle for a golf cart and could be found driving around the neighborhood, always accompanied by one of his beloved dogs.

At home, he could often be found playing his harmonica, watching basketball, or reading and researching, as he was always learning. A source of endless wisdom, every visit with Bob would usually include him asking, "Did you know...?" followed by sharing a random, but often fascinating, bit of trivia, history, or news.

Bob loved his family and was a supportive husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He cherished being "Papaw" to his grandchildren and hearing about their lives and adventures, and he relished time spent with his brothers and sisters, nieces, and nephews.

If you spent any time with Bob, he was sure to brag about his children, grandchildren, and family. Bob is survived by his wife and partner of more than thirty-five years, Debbie Kennard; his six children and stepchildren, Geneva Craigmiles, Adam (JessIe) Kennard, Jared (Stacie) Kennard, Caitlin Kennard, Melissa (David) Wright, and Amanda Harr; eight beloved grandchildren, Cole and Reed Craigmiles, Briar and Elias Kennard, Kiera and Addison Kennard, and Taylor and Jocelyn Wright; his two brothers, Michael (Debbie) Kennard and Kenneth (Charmaine) Kennard; two sisters, Pam Kennard and Deborah Humble; and his beloved bonus son, Scottie (Brooke) Walker.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and close friends from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a welcome and invocation beginning at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Madison Township Community Center, 9766 OH-335, Minford, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SOMC Hospice Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Please visit www.fcdaehlermortuary.com to leave a special memory of Bob or condolences for his family.