Robert Kempenaar

Newport, RI - Robert Kempenaar, 85, of Boca Raton, FL and formerly of Middletown, RI, died with his family by his side on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Village House Nursing Home, Newport, RI. He was the husband of Catherine Crombie Kempenaar of Boca Raton, FL. Born in Newport, RI on March 12, 1923, he was the son of the late Esau and Saime Makinen Kempenaar.Mr. Kempenaar graduated from Rogers High School and attended the University of Massachusetts where he studied Ornamental Horticulture. He served as a Sergeant in the 462nd Army Air Force Base Unit from 1941 to 1945 during World War II. Mr. Kempenaar was treasurer of the family business, Boulevard Nursery and Kempenaar Real Estate. He hosted the annual foreign officers bake at Kempenaar Clambake Club. Along with his father and brothers he was instrumental in the development of the commercial end of the family business located in Middletown. Mr. Kempenaar was involved in many community affairs. He was a member of the Middletown School Committee, elected to the Presidency of the Rhode Island Nurserymens Association in 1957, was named 1968 Small Businessman of the Year, was appointed to the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the University of Rhode Island, was a member of the Newport County Chambers of commerce, a member of the Naval Affairs Council, the Navy League of the United States, and the Rhode Island Police of Chiefs Association. Mr. Kempenaar Co-chaired the $1 Million dollar fund raising program for the new YMCA in 1973. He was also a member of the Rhode Island Heritage committee, past board member of the former Bank of Newport and a member of Wanomatomy golf course. In his free time he spent many days in the summer on his boat the Dutch Treat with his family and friends.Besides his wife he was the beloved father of Carol Kempenaar, Shirley Kempenaar Petersen, Robert Rocky Kempenaar and Kathy Kempenaar Sundin.He was the brother of Frederick Kempenaar.He was the grandfather of Vaughan Lazar, Lee Kathryn DeCosta, Robert Lazar, Trevor Healy, Kajsa Kempenaar and Alexandra Healey as well as step grandfather to Monique Gaston and Chantal Gaston as well as great grandfather of Phoebe Davis Lazar and Allison Lazar.Mr. Kempenaar was father in law to Hans Cortsen, Alan Petersen, Linda Koziara Kempenaar and Fred Sundin.He was uncle to Gloria Jean Kempenaar Dunn, Sharon Kempenaar Carter, Christopher Bacon, James Crombie, Amy Crombie, Richard Toner, Daniel Ashworth, Donna Ashworth, Michael Crombie, Linda Crombie, Joanne Bacon Gracia, Bobby Ashworth, Daniel Toner, Kathy Toner, Cynthia Toner Gaudet and John Kempenaar.Mr. Kempenaar was the brother in law of Norman Crombie of California, Mary Jean and Richard Toner, Jean Kempenaar, Bob Ashworth.Mr. Kempenaar was the son in law the late Nellie and James Crombie, brother of the late Charles Buster Kempenaar, Gloria Kempenaar Bacon and Anna Marie Kempenaar Ashworth he was uncle of the late Charles Chuckie Kempenaar, Cynthia Bacon and Diana Bacon as well as brother in law of the late Shirley Crombie, James Crombie, Dr. Osmer Bacon and Nancy Kempenaar Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 8:00am from the Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway at Vernon Avenue Newport.Burial will take place in St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown.Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4 - 8pm in the Hambly Funeral Home.Memorial donations may be made to Village House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Alzheimer Unit, 70 Harrison Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, or to the Boys and Girls Club Of Newport County Inc., 95 Church Street, Newport, RI 02840.