Robert Kiem

I served as ship family Ombudsman for the USS Guam, stationed then in Norfolk, Virginia, under the guidance of Captain Kiem. My husband, MCPO Charles (Chuck)Torpin, served under Captain Kiem aboard the USS Guam as 3M Coordinator. There are so very many wonderful memories of our time under the command of Captain Kiem; but the one most significant that pops into mind was the day we told him that Chuck (MCPO Charles H. Torpin, deceased 1/6/1995),would be staying aboard the ship for the Med...

(Captain) Commander Kiem was my Executive Officer at VT-25 in Beeville, TX. (1979); my first duty station after A School. It was an honor to serve under his command. I will always remember flying backseat with him in our TA-4J Skyhawks.

Annie. It does not seem like over 9 years ago when we 5 Pre-flight classmates had lunch in your home. We still miss him and the great fellowship we enjoyed for so many years. May our place in eternity be as secure as Bob's.

I had the honor of serving onboard the USS GUAM (LPH-9) with Capt. Kiem as my Commanding Officer. Capt. Kiem gave me my first promotion from an E1 to an E2. He always had the time to say hello and ask how things were going. I'd take him his message traffic and we would talk about home, sports and a variety of topics. When I heard of his passing it brought tears to my eyes. He wasn't just the Captain of our ship, he had the heart and so of all the crew. The NAVY and all who knew him are...

All the superlatives about Bob been written and said over the many years. Those that write here were fortunate enough to have known Bob and his wife and family and, as a result, possess a great many fond memories to sustain us until we can join him.

I will always remember his kindness (and Annies) following the loss of my husband but, most of all, I will cherish the many times our paths crossed during our years together in the Navy.

Sincerely,
Nancy Zambie

I am at a loss. I served under CAPT Kiem on the USS Guam. He was the best leader I have ever known. I will never forget the day we had to offload all of the food from the Guam when entering the yard in Philly. He called for an all hands working party. He was the first one in the line of almost 500 sailers hoisting 50 lb bags of flour.

I was proud to have served under him on The USS GUAM. Fair Winds and following Seas Captain

On Board the Uss Guam in 1986 we were on our way back from the Med and we had just dropped off the Marines in Moorehead City,NC and we picked up Relitives there for the return trip to Norfolk! My Dad and I were on the Bridge for a tour and my Dad asked Captain Keim who was sitting in the Captains chair and he said that his Dad was allowed to sit in that chair!My Dad never forgot that! We all got a Big Laugh out of that! GOD SPEED!