ROBERT LOUIS "BOB" KERSCHEN

Robert (Bob) Louis Kerschen, 90, of Cunningham, Kansas, went home to be with his Lord on March 8, 2026. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, father-in-law, uncle, and friend whose querying presence, genuine concern and steady faith will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Bob was born at home in Goddard, Kansas, to Nicholas and Johanna (Geiger) Kerschen on October 23, 1935. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Charvat, on September 1, 1956, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Garden Plain, Kansas. Together they built a loving family rooted in faith and hard work.

Bob’s life reflected his belief in using his hands, heart, and mind to serve others—whether laying a strong foundation as a brick mason or working the soil as a farmer. He found joy in building things from the ground up—both in his work and in the lives of those around him.

A devoted husband and father, Bob never shied away from his responsibilities as a provider and caregiver. When he wasn’t working, he was with family—and when time allowed, he was a faithful friend. He loved sharing the value of hard work, simple pleasures, and time spent with loved ones. Purposeful in all he did, Bob was always looking for ways to improve things. Family, however, always came first. Whether it was a baptism, first communion, wedding, birthday, newborn visit, ballgame, or school concert, he somehow found time to be there.

Bob approached life with simplicity and humility. Nothing fancy or over-the-top—just honest effort and a “get it done” spirit. He was a joy to be around and provided plenty of good-natured laughter. His family fondly remembers his “Bobisms”: “I wanna go home.” “Did you do any good today?” “Givin’ ya the good life.”“Don’t BS your life away.” and an all-time favorite “Hey, Jeanette, let’s go to bed so these people can go home.”

He loved classic country music—Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Porter Wagoner, Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker to name a few—and would often sing along, entertaining everyone around him. But the song he sang most often was “I Wanna Go Home” by Bobby Bare—a tune that now carries deeper meaning for those who loved him.

Well, Bob, here you are — just like the Apostle Paul, “You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith.” You are finally home. May our Lord welcome you with open arms. And when we finish our race, we hope to join you there.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanette (Charvat) Kerschen, his sisters Corene Whilhite of Eufaula, Oklahoma, and Verna (Ken) Papotta of Simi Valley, California. He was preceded in death by his brothers Eugene (Gene) Kerschen and James “Jim” Kerschen.

He leaves behind his children: Allen (Darla) of Cheney, Kansas; Greg (Colleen) of Cunningham, Kansas; Nancy (Greg) Burger of Fort Worth, Texas; Rebecca (Rob) Ayala-Flores of Kansas City, Missouri; and Kristie (James) Carney of Prairie Village, Kansas. Bob was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, whose lives are his proudest legacy.

The Rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cunningham. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, also at Sacred Heart, followed by a luncheon at the Sacred Heart Church hall.

Memorials may be made with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the West Kingman County Education Foundation and both may be sent to Livingston Funeral Home, 1830 N. Main, Kingman KS 67068.