Kane Robert Joseph

Robert Joseph Kane, 81, took his last breath, on Sunday, April 21, 2019. He died in his own bed, having spent the last few weeks surrounded by his family. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 20, 1938, the son of the late John Michael and Lena (Olszewski) Kane. The first of three boys, he is survived by his brothers, John and Bill, with whom he had numerous adventures in the park near their home. He played high school football, excelled in math and science, and developed a lifelong love of ice cream having worked at the original Friendly's as a soda jerk. Bob earned a Master's degree in chemical engineering at the University of Massachusetts, but not before meeting Jean, who would become his wife of 55 years. As Bob recalled just days ago, he was just as attracted to Jean's sharp mind as he was her short skirt. Bob was employed by the Sun Oil Company before moving to the U.S. Department of Energy following the Arab Oil Embargo. He subsequently formed Robert J. Kane Associates Inc., a successful consulting firm that he ran for the next 20 years before retiring to his farm in Brightwood, Virginia. As proud as he was of his many professional accomplishments, nothing gave Bob greater joy than his family. Bob and Jean reveled in their life on the farm in Brightwood, routinely hosting the grandchildren for hiking, sledding, fishing in the pond, shooting skeet, swimming, and barbeques. Climbing hay bales and tractor rides with grandpa were always a highlight. Bob was also a huge fan of the University of Virginia. He proudly watched his own two children graduate from UVA, as well as his daughter in law and eldest granddaughter. To ensure a lasting connection to the University, he endowed several scholarships, making it possible for area students to pursue opportunities otherwise not available to them. An avid outdoorsman, Bob could often be found at the stern of a canoe, hoisting the sail on his Sunfish, scuba diving in the Carribean, or camping in the Shenandoah Valley. Bob was also a dog trainer, breeder and hunter. Unable to remain idle in retirement, he formed the Virginia Hunting Dog Owners Association (VHDOA) and the Sportsman and Animal Owners Voting Alliance (SAOVA) working to ensure that hunters had a voice in Richmond and state legislatures throughout the country. He also represented Madison County for several years in the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District. He is survived by his wife, Jean Schaefer Kane of Charlottesville; son, Robert Joseph Kane Jr. (Beth) of Winchester; daughter, Deborah Jean Kane (Eric Shriner) of Portland, Oregon; and grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Kane, Megan Rachel Kane, John Emmett Kane, Zoe Morgan Kane, and Owen William Kane. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2019, at 3 p.m. in the afternoon at the Colonnades, with a reception to follow.