Robert Dean Kern was born in Eads, Colorado, July 26, 1944, to Dorsey A. (Bill) and Gertrude A. (Lange) Kern. Bob passed away at St. Anthonys Central in Denver, Colorado on July 2, 2007. Bob was the second child born to the family, his older brother Ronald and younger sister Mary Ann completed the family household. The family resided in Cheyenne Wells on a farm helping to spark the love of farming and ranching into Bobs heart. Bob spent many of his days going off fishing with Grandma and Grandpa Lange, and soon become a very avid fly fisherman. During his school years, at Sacred Heart Catholic School, as a cat-licker, he was a very involved, yet ornery boy. He was kept busy with activities such as square dancing, marble shooter (being a champion marble shooter) and raised reserve and grand champion cattle.


Tony Sponsel and Bob where best of friends being alter boys and secretly sneaking a sip of wine here and there. He attended Cheyenne Wells High School where he played one of his favorite sports, football.


In the winter of 1961 he stole the heart of a young woman, Susan Irene Magwire. The couple decided then to tie the knot on November 11, 1961, which was Armistice Day. Bob always said the First World War ended and theirs began on that day, just joking of course. After their marriage Bob and Sue decided they wanted a house full of kids and proceeded to have three sons. Raymond Dean, Robert Duane, and John Michael, who came to be the start of Bob and Sues adventures. The Kern family was always democratic, voting on everything, but Sue soon found herself being out voted by Bob and the boys. Bob took his sons on several hunting trips, although Bob never forgot his fishing pole. Bob went on so many hunting trips the stories where hard to choose, but the motto has always been what happens at hunting camp stays at hunting camp. Bob, Clinton, and Donnie also enjoyed all night rabbit hunting trips.


The entire family embarked on a vacation every year and Bob always took one or two of his boys friends along on the trips. Bob enjoyed nothing better then spending time out on Feyhs Farm with the Feyhs, Ashleys, and Gemmills, and to top off the trip they always went to Worlds of Fun and a Royals baseball game. One of the biggest trips was when the Kerns, Ashleys, and Feyhs saved up a little money and took a trip out to California. The greatest times in Bobs life where the days his grandkids where born. Anthony (Bud) was the first Grandson to join the Kern bunch. Soon came Jerrid, Derek, Tanner, and Kelli. He finally got his little girl. One day Bob decided to take all of his grandkids out to the Old Wells for a little camping trip, which turned out he had planned a secret treasure hunt involving so many steps to a dead Indian and a few more steps to the dead Indians horse. Even with the rain, Bob helped the kids find that coffee can of money so they could bring their treasure back to the shop to count. They still enjoyed what was left of their watered down pork and beans. Soon came the last grandson of the bunch Augustus (Gus). Bob spent many nights with every grandkid crammed into his big bed, except Tanner he always preferred the floor. So they could all watch black and white Disney cartoons, the only cartoons grandpa felt where still good enough to watch. The one thing Bob never liked was the fact that his grandkids all grew up. But then his prayers were answered; he was given a great grandson, Weslee. Bob and Weslee would spend hours together in the shop. Weslee loved Papa Bobs shop, and Bob enjoyed their races around the trash trucks. No matter what Bob did, Weslee would always win.


Bob was also a very active member in many different organizations including, Knights of Columbus, Cheyenne Wells Fire Department, Cheyenne County Ambulance Service, and Deputy Sheriff for Bill Howard. A couple years ago Bob became involved in teaching a CCD class at the Sacred Heart Catholic church, which included giving each of his students a bible that he found in different states finally finding the last bible in Indiana, on another of Bob and Sues vacations. Bob loved history, which made most of his stops involving cemeteries. His last cemetery visit was to Arlington National cemetery in Washington, D.C. This is where he proceeded to get lost and the Washington police and Arlington military had to go looking for him. But, Bob swore he was never lost he was just making sure he read every name and date he could find. Bob enjoyed the company of others just as long as you didnt mind sitting with him in his shop telling a joke or two. You wouldnt have to worry though Bob could tell jokes for hours and I bet you would never hear a single joke twice. He and Butch Hapes spent many hours discussing the values and histories of guns, much to the dismay of his wife.


Bob was a great husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, and friend, he never met a stranger. So we say farewell to a man who loved life as much as he loved his wife. Rest in peace Bob Kern.

After listening to the family while they were reminiscing about Bob, Wesley was asked to tell a story about Grandpa. Wesley said, They said he stole the heart of a woman. We love you Grandpa.


Bob was proceeded in death by his parents Bill and Gertrude, grandparents August and Ila Kern, grandparents John and Lillian Lange, mother and father in law Muggs and Marge Magwire, brother in law Richard Smith, and sister in law Norma Magwire (Uhland).


Bob leaves to morn his wife Sue of 45 years, sons Rayme (Delta) Kern of Cheyenne Wells, Bobby Kern of Cheyenne Wells, John (Angela) Kern of Golden, CO. Grandchildren Bud of Fort Collins, CO, Jerrid of Colorado Springs, CO, Derek of Weskan, KS, Tanner of Greeley, CO, Kelli of Cheyenne Wells, Gus of Cheyenne Wells, and one Great Grandson, Weslee of Fort Collins, CO. Also left behind are Kay, Tara, Lynelle, Abby, and the entire Feyh family. Bob also left behind his brother Ronald (Norma Jean) Kern, sister Mary Ann Fergison, sister in law Maxine Smith, and brother in law Ron (Dianne) Magwire. Along with very special aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.


A Funeral Mass for Robert Kern was held on Saturday July 7, 2007 at the Sacred Heart Church in Cheyenne Wells with Fr. Kuzma as the celebrant. Mrs. Cindy Legg and the community choir with Jim Bessee as soloist provided the music for the mass. A rosary service was held on Friday evening at the church. Casketbearers were: Rayme Kern, Bobby Kern, John Kern, Jerrid Kern, Tanner Kern, Derek Kern, Anthony Kern, Kelli Kern, Weslee Kern and Augustus Kern. Honorary casketbearers were: Tony Sponsel, Clinton Ashley, Carl Hapes Jr., David Pedersen, Mike Korrell, Sid Gibbs, Mike Smith, Ron Smith, John Skoff, Dale Dwyer, Paul Galli and Ron Magwire. The Cheyenne Wells Fire Dept. then took Bob to the Fairview Cemetery where the final committal services were held.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Cheyenne Wells Fire Dept. Visitation and funeral services were entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home in Cheyenne Wells, CO.


2nd Timothy, 4:7, I have competed well, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.