Rev. Robert A. Van Kempen

Fr. Robert A. Van Kempen, age 66, went home to be with the Lord on February 12, 2026 with his family by his side at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN. He was born on February 25, 1959, in South Bend, IN to Henry and Mary Grace Van Kempen.

Fr. Bob is survived by his sisters, Linda Fleese of South Bend, IN and Kathryn Belich of Granger, IN, nephews Nick Belich, Ian (Amanda) Belich and Matthew Fleese and his niece Amy (Scott) Czarnecki, great nieces and nephews, Madison, Logan, Ethan, Anthony, Eli and Aidan. He was preceded in death by his mom Mary Grace (Scott) McCaw, and his father Henry (Margaret) Van Kempen.

He was baptized on April 5, 1959, at Christ the King Catholic Church.

His first communion was in 1966, at Christ the King Catholic Church.

He was confirmed on May 16, 1971, at Christ the King Catholic Church.

He became an Ordained Deacon on January 2, 1993, at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew.

He became an Ordained Priest on November 27, 1993, at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew.

He celebrated his first mass at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be February 17, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Fr. Bob had devoted his life to serving others. He had a servant heart. As a priest, he served at Saint Jude Parish (Fort Wayne), Saint Joseph Hessen Cassel Parish (Fort Wayne), the Cathedral of Saint Matthew (South Bend), and St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol. Fr. Bob enjoyed shopping, vacationing and travelling, especially cruising to fun places. He loved to entertain friends and family by spending time together enjoying good food and fine chocolates. He will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 3-7pm on Monday, February 16, 2026 at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 West Vistula Street, Bristol, IN 46507. A Vigil Service will be held at 6:45pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 State Hwy 933, South Bend, IN 46637, where visitation will be held one hour before mass at the church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Memorial Park in Granger, IN., where he will be laid to rest next to his mom. Memorial donations in memory of Fr. Bob may be made to the church, the retired priest fund or American Diabetes Association. Stemm-Lawson- Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting Fr. Bob’s family. Online condolences may be made to his family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com