J. "Bob" Robert Kitchen
John Robert “Bob” Kitchen passed away peacefully at his home in Keswick, Virginia on Monday, January 27, 2025 surrounded by his family and one day before his 102nd birthday.
Bob is survived by his children; Leah B. Watson (Bari Gashi), John S. Watson (Diane), Ann K. Watson and Lorraine “Lorrie” K. Nicholson (Steve); six beloved grandchildren, Ian Watson (Hillary), Sean Watson (Amanda), Will DeBord (M.K.), Allie Nicholson Crider (Matthew), Dan DeBord and Bobby Nicholson; and 4 great-grandchildren, Jacob Watson, Halley Watson, Charlotte Crider and Austin Watson.
In addition to his parents and brother, Willard Richard “Dick” Kitchen, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Katherine S. Kitchen in 2021, son-in-law Bill DeBord and grandson, Stevie DeBord.
Bob was born in West Roxbury, Mass. on January 28, 1923 and was the son of the late Willard Richard Kitchen and Mildred Adell Kitchen. He had a wonderful childhood and would often recount his mischievous adventures growing up with his large gang of friends on Centre Street. He sold newspapers so he could buy tickets to watch the Red Sox play and could proudly recite the player line-ups of the 30’s and 40s well into his final years.
In 1941 Bob graduated from the High School of Commerce in Boston and began his college studies at the University of Massachusetts. Also in 1941, Bob enrolled in Civilian Pilot Training accelerating his eligibility to become a Marine pilot.
In 1942, at the age of 19, Bob joined the Naval Air Corps commissioning program and attended flight school. In August of 1943 Bob was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and designated as a Marine B-25 pilot. After operational training he was assigned to Marine Air Group 1, Marine Corps Air Station, Ewa Hawaii. As a member of the 4th Marine Air Wing he participated in the following air campaigns between July 1944 and June 1945: Saipan, Bouganville, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Philippines. Among his many medals, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, our nation’s highest award for aerial achievement. Like many of The Greatest Generation, Bob seldom talked about the war and was modest about his service. If asked, he’d say the real heroes were the ones who never made it home.
After WWII, Bob used the G.I. Bill to complete his college education graduating from Boston University with a B.S. in Business Administration 1948. He worked in corporate sales for Nashua Corporation and Kaiser Aluminum in New York City and later transferred with Kaiser to Oakland, California.
In 1962 Bob met and married the love of his life, Kay, and traded his bachelor’s pad, Cadillac convertible, and boat for a house in the suburbs, a station wagon and an instant family, raising 3 children under the age of 10. In 1963 Bob and Kay welcomed their 4th child, Lorrie, and together they nurtured a fun-loving, warm and supportive family life in Orinda and Walnut Creek, California.
Bob taught his family that work was fun and enjoyed his career in sales and sales management with Kaiser until his retirement in 1982. He was a natural salesman, known for being a listener and strategic problem solver. Bob was also a savvy and disciplined investor. He could be found reading his Kiplinger, researching companies and stocks well into his 90’s.
Bob had a marvelous sense of humor. He was the one you wanted to sit beside at a grandchild’s sporting event or birthday party to hear his witty observations. His humor was never crass or attention seeking, but always clever and perfectly timed.
Bob had a gracious and easy-going disposition. He was a stable and supportive man who loved his family. He was easy to talk to and routinely provided wise and common sense counsel when asked. His calm and measured approach was instructive to a family that typically loved to talk more than listen.
Bob was always happy, raising the mood in any room. He never complained or uttered a harsh word, even during difficult times; always thankful for what he had. To his last days if you greeted Bob by asking how he was doing, he’d enthusiastically reply “never better!” If you asked him what he was thinking about, he’d say, “I’m thinking about how lucky I am to have my family.”
Family and friends will gather in the coming month to celebrate his long and impactful life. The family would like to thank The Hospice of the Piedmont and all the loving care givers who supported Bob in his final years with special appreciation to McKenzie Cowan and Jimmy Galano.
