Robert (Bob) Grant Kennedy, 91, of Beresford, South Dakota, was peacefully
welcomed into the arms of Jesus on September 25, 2024. He was born on September
5, 1933, in Beresford, South Dakota, to Walter and Ethel Kennedy and grew up on the
family farm northwest of Beresford.
Bob was a 1951 graduate of Beresford High School and alumnus of Wheaton College (IL),
Class of 1955. While at Wheaton, he was a pitcher for the college baseball team and
enlisted in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corp (ROTC). Upon graduation, he was
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and later rose to 1st Lieutenant.
Married in 1957 to Darlene Larson, they lived and farmed in the Beresford area until
1995. After retiring from farming, he worked hard to remain active by taking on
several part-time jobs. Bob loved reading, sports, travel, and spending time with his
family. In earlier years, he enjoyed long-distance running and cycling. He was proud
to serve on the Beresford School Board from 1971 to 1982. One of the great joys in his
later years was being inducted into the Watchdog Hall of Fame, Class of 2023.
Bob was a devoted Christian and a man of unwavering faith. He was called to bring
the Word of God and served with Gideons International for 40 years. He traveled
extensively sharing the Good News with people around the world. The prayer of his
heart was that others might know and experience the truth and saving grace of
Jesus Christ. He will be deeply missed and his memory will forever live on in the
hearts of those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his four children: Dave (Jaye Peterson) Kennedy, Scott (Kaye)
Kennedy, Todd (Renee) Kennedy, and Kare (Mark) Gehl; six grandchildren: Erin (Rob)
Andry, MaryEllen Kennedy, Kelsey (Clay) Jorgensen, Blake Kennedy, Carter (Maggie)
Kennedy, Michael (Morghin) Gehl; five great grandchildren, Declan Andry, Mara
Andry, Clare Andry, Shane Jorgensen, Wrenley Jorgensen and siblings Charles
Kennedy and Helen Kennedy Grace, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Darlene Kennedy, his parents Walter and Ethel
Kennedy, brother Howard Kennedy, and his beloved Aunt Evelyn.
As we celebrate the life of Bob, beloved father and friend, his faithfulness to God, and
the legacy he leaves behind, we are tremendously grateful for and comforted by the
knowledge and sure hope that today he is in the presence of Jesus.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at
Beresford Evangelical Free Church in Beresford, SD, with visitation time at 9:30 a.m.. A
private family burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial
donations be made to Gideons International, Lincoln Union Gideon Camp, Attn: :
Ardel Knutson, 407 S. 3rd Street, Beresford, SD 57004
Philippians 4: 4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to
all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.