Robert ‘Bob’ Kerr, 1959-2023

Mar 1, 2023

KANSAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

Longtime Command Information Officer and Fort Leavenworth (Kansas) Lamp Editor Robert “Bob” Kerr passed away Jan. 23, 2023, following a short but fierce battle with cancer — although no doctor has ruled out the frustrating end of the Green Bay Packer season as an unofficial contributing factor.

Bob was born to the late Donald and Zilpha (Grahn) Kerr Oct. 6, 1959, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Inspired by his father’s Army service, he enlisted under his father’s recruitment tour at age 17. During his years of service as an active-duty soldier and then Department of the Army civilian, Bob kept the military community informed by editing countless articles, as well as photographing events, writing articles (among them was a special report on the National Training Center in California when he was the department’s editor of Military Intelligence magazine), and managing a team he admired and affectionately call the “Lampies.”

Bob was a man of many hobbies, including gardening, cooking, hunting, fishing and attending his grandchildren’s many activities. He was also the proud ‘Papa’ of The Hens of Leavenworth County — a flock of backyard chickens named after famous rock stars. Bob was an award-winning hobby–model builder who primarily “scratch-built” (not built exactly as directed on the box) World War II models, including many versions of the Sherman tank. Next to his family, Bob’s second great love was the Green Bay Packers and all things football.

Survivors include his wife of more than 38 years, Susan (Brindle) Kerr; daughter Lorelei (Kerr) Winzenburg (partner Zachary Stevenson); daughter Elizabeth (Kerr) Stevenson (husband Bradley Stevenson); grandchildren Tre’ Winzenburg, Ben Winzenburg, Tyler Winzenburg, Eli Stevenson, Maverick Stevenson and Emma Stevenson; and sisters Donna Kerr and Bonnie Kerr of Wisconsin.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Zilpha Kerr, in-laws Lewis and Eithel (Baker) Brindle, and granddaughter Adley Stevenson.

The family would like to thank the incredible staff at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Phoenix Hospice for their incredible care, as well as the many friends and family members who provided compassionate support through this difficult time.

A celebration of life was held Feb. 17, 2023, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. Burial with military honors followed at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery. Online condolences can be offered at https://www.leintzfh.com/.

For more on Bob’s contributions as longtime Fort Leavenworth Lamp editor, click here.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Leavenworth County Humane Society or the Lansing Education Foundation.