Date of death: 4/21/2015
Saint Meinrad Class: SPH 1945
Robert F. Kern, 93, of Indianapolis, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. He was born on October 28, 1921 in Indianapolis to the late Henry C. and Rose Marie (Seiter) Kern. Robert attended St. Phillip Neri Grade School for 8 years, graduating in 1935; and attended Saint Meinrad Abbey as an Oblate of St. Benedict in his freshman year. He spent 3 years at Cathedral High School and graduated with the class of 1939. In July of 1941, Robert first met Joanne Lauber. He joined the USMC in August of 1942 and was discharged in November of 1945. While in the USMC, Robert, in his Marine Dress Blues, married Joanne C. Lauber on October 4, 1943, in Indianapolis at Holy Angels Church. Robert spent all of his working life in the sheet metal business. Before joining the USMC he worked in his father’s sheet metal business. After the war, he spent 40 years at the Tarpenning LaFollette Co., a sheet metal specialty company. Robert retired from that company as Superintendent of Operations in June of 1985. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union #41 for 27 years. Robert was also involved with many social and civic activities including the Crooked Creek Civic League, the Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts and Little League Baseball for many years. He belonged to the K of C from 1955 until his death. After the war, much of his time was spent working with the parishes to which he and his wife belonged, namely Holy Angels, St. Michael’s and St. Monica. Robert spent many years with organizations at St. Monica’s where we was president of the Men’s Club, the Liturgy Committee, the Board of Education and the Parish Council. He also spent much time with the West District Board of Education, where he served as President for a year. Starting with the early grades, Robert and Joanne were involved with the music liturgies in their respective parishes. After WWII, music became a very important part of their lives; Robert as choir director and Joanne as organist. They started choirs at the three parishes where they served. They spent 3 years at Holy Angels, 7 years at St. Michael, and 27 years at St. Monica (1957-1985) when they retired as choir director and organist. Robert is survived by his wife, Joanne C. (Lauber) Kern; 6 children with their wonderful spouses, Michael (Sandra) Kern, Richard (Sharon) Kern, David (Ann) Kern, Rosemarie (Mark) Megraw, Jeanmarie (Jonathon) Chenette, Christopher (Lisa) Kern; 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Robert is also survived by his sisters, Rita Moravec and Sr. Rose Kern, RGS. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, James Kern and Msgr. Joseph Kern