Robert F. Kempker

Robert "Bob" F. Kempker, 69, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Community Medical Center after a brief illness. Bob was born on December 13, 1955, at Lakehurst NAS and has been a lifelong resident of Toms River. Bob graduated from Toms River North in 1974 and then worked at Ciba-Geigy for a short time. Bob went into the construction business for the next 40 years, starting with Bucchino Construction, Hamilton, New Jersey, and ending with Bolton Construction in Pittstown, New Jersey. He also had his own construction business. After a long day's work, you would find Bob relaxing with the "man on the moon" (Miller Beer).
Bob was a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and an avid hunter. Any time an opportunity presented itself to hunt, Bob was there, either in High Point, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Canada, Oregon, Missouri or locally (all his trophies are hanging on the wall). Bob also loved his Fords (his favorite phrase was "you own a 'Chevy Shit'"). He also enjoyed his month-long outward-bound survival school with his friends. After eating dehydrated food for a month, when they got back, the local ice cream shop was promoting "if you can eat all 27 flavors, you would get 27 flavors for free." They made a good effort, but couldn't finish. Bob was easy going, never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always there to help anyone who needed help. He took a lot of pride in his spare time to restore his 1969 Ford F-100.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Catherine, his brother, William, his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Todd Dudek, and good friend, William "Bill" Norman. Bob is survived by his sisters, Patricia, Theresa Dennis (Dick) and Christine Carver; his brothers, Joseph and Edward (Anna), seven nieces and nephews and five great nieces and nephews. Bob also leaves behind his lifelong friends, Dave Bailey and Ed Butow; friend, Barbara Norman; and his hunting buddies, Mike Grodzicki, Pat McKeon, Dan Terry and Steve.
No one would recognize Bob if he weren't in jeans, a flannel shirt or cowboy apparel. The family is requesting that anyone attending the viewing dress casual by wearing jeans, a flannel shirt or cowboy apparel.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Carmona-Bolen Funeral Home 412 Main St., Toms River, NJ 08753 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To send condolences to the family please visit: carmonabolenfh.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit our floral store.