Robert David Kitchen

Robert David Kitchen died at the Johnson City Medical Center on April 14, 2011, after an extended illness. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on October 25, 1931, to Wilton Richard Kitchen and Orletta Smith Kitchen, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Kitchen graduated from Northwestern University School of Engineering in Evanston, Illinois in 1957. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduating, he was employed by the Micro Switch Division of Honeywell, Inc. in Freeport, Illinois for 30 years. During his employment he received several patents. After an early retirement, he moved to Johnson City to work for Columbus Electric in Piney Flats. He had numerous hobbies. He was a crack shot and earned multiple trophies in trap and skeet shooting. In autumn he enjoyed pheasant hunting. His engineering skills were used well in his workshop at home where he could fix nearly any broken appliance and invented James Bond '? worthy gadgets. His children did not know the disappointment of broken toys, because they were returned from their fathers workshop as good as new. Mr. Kitchen was also exceptionally creative. Early in his adult life he developed a passion for taking and developing black and white photographs. He was a gifted artist who painted oils of natural scenes and experimented in abstract art. In recent years he expanded his artistic skills into splatter techniques and watercolor. In addition, he designed and built a post and beam lake house, crafted beautifully finished wood furniture and constructed historic ship models with minute artistic detail. His home is filled with the unique products of his skill and imagination. Perhaps above all, though, friends and family loved his omnipresent and offbeat sense of humor. Mr. Kitchen was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and was loved in return by his entire family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Annette Schaller Kitchen. They were married September 4, 1955, in Storm Lake, Iowa. Three daughters, Georganne Kitchen Young of Park City, Utah; Pamela Jayne Kitchen of Apache Junction, Arizona; and Sarah Beth Kitchen of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, also survive. In addition, eight grandchildren survive; Robert Kitchen young, Katherine Kitchen Young, and Sara Kitchen Young, Kimberley Annette Kitchen, Walker Nicholas Barr and Savannah Schaller Barr; Isabel Kitchen Arjmand and Issac Kitchen Arjmand. He was one of four brothers who shared a childhood of boyish pranks and adventures, and remained close as the years passed. They and their wives survive and are Richard and Elaine Kitchen, Grand Rapids, Michigan; James and Patricia Kitchen, Traverse City, Michigan; and William and Jane Kitchen, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Also surviving are his sister-in-law and husband, Carolyn S. and John K. Hopley, Greenwich, Connecticut; brother-in-law and wife, George H. and Marcia P. Schaller, Storm Lake, Iowa. A gathering to share memories will be held at a later date. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to the Johnson City Public Library, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Girls, Inc., or a charity of their choice.