Memorial held for former Kilgore resident Dr. Kennedy

Dr. Robert Edward Kennedy

Dr. Robert Edward Kennedy (March 8, 1926 - March 8, 2008)

Dr. Robert Edward Kennedy, Jr., 82, professor emeritus of the University of Arkansas of Fayetteville, Arkansas died on his birthday Saturday, March 8, 2008.

He was born March 8, 1926, the son of the late Robert E. and Bess Rowland Kennedy of Kilgore.

He was a WWII Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater in mine sweeping operations in Okinawa and the Japanese Inland Sea. He earned his B.S., Masters, and PhD. from the University of Texas, served as an economist with the Federal Office of Stabilization in Dallas and a security analyst with 1st Southwest, before founding his own investment firm.

Dr. Kennedy joined the University of Arkansas faculty in 1957 and taught finance classes until his retirement in 1999. His Honors Seminar and Portfolio Management classes were favorites among business students. The Robert E. Kennedy Chair of Finance was endowed by these former students and the Walton Family Foundation with contributions of more than $1,000,000 to provide a legacy for the continuation of Dr. Kennedy's work for the University, the students, and for businesses.

Dr. Kennedy was the first Chartered Financial Analyst in Arkansas and his investor relations consulting work included such firms as Tyson Foods, Allied Telephone (now Alltel), Worthen Bank, Baldor Electric and the Bank of Fayetteville. He served for nearly 30 years as past chairman of the State Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Panel and member of the Governor's Economic Advisory Council; he was a member of the Dallas Society of Investment Analysts.

A memorial service was held March 11, 2008 at Beard's Funeral Chapel and interment March 12, at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville.

Dr. Kennedy is survived by his wife, Joyce Kennedy; son, Robert E. Kennedy III of Fayetteville; two daughters, Karen Morton of Springdale, Arkansas and Lauren Kennedy of Frisco, Texas; stepchildren, Angela Norwood Moody of Little Rock and Adam Norwood of Fayetteville; sister, Marcia Reagan of San Antonio and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Kennedy and brother Andrew (Andy) James Kennedy all of Kilgore. R.E. Kennedy Sr. was a former Kilgore city commissioner, active in building the East Texas Treatment Center, and involved in the American Red Cross. Mrs. Kennedy Sr. was a former first lady of Kilgore. Andy served on the Kilgore school board, worked at Kilgore National Bank and was active in both the American Heart Association and the Amearican Cancer Society.