In Memory of Robert Robert Kitchens

Seonghwa
Written By Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Robert Kitchens

Spouse: Hiromi Kitchens
Children: Jeremy
DOB: August 1, 1957
Blessing: October 14, 1982
Passing: July 12, 2024
Seonghwa Ceremony: Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 8:30am EST, Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home, 64 Ashford Ave, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Seonghwa Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86570384420
(Please text or WhatsApp message Will Jacobson at (914) 357-3332 if you are having any issues with Zoom)
Viewing: Friday, July 19, 2024 from 4:00pm to 11:00pm EST. Memorial Service @ 7:00pm, Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home, 64 Ashford Ave, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Our beloved brother, Robert “Rob” Kitchens, of the Belvedere Family Church in New York, ascended to the spiritual world at 8:10am Friday, July 12, 2024.

Rob was born August 1, 1957 in Newport Beach, California. Rob was always a true artist at heart. He played the trumpet in his youth, followed by the flute and the guitar which he played for many, many years. Rob always had a great ear for music. He could listen to a song once and piece it together from memory. He was always a unique free thinker and willing to look at things from many different angles. He enjoyed talking with others and sharing stories. He carried conversations with enthusiasm and great interest. Rob also took a liking to art. A high school course in ceramics lit a spark in him; after high school, he worked for others as a production potter, then bought and installed his own kiln at his house in Costa Mesa so he could do his own ceramic work. With his ceramics experience under his belt, he studied at Humboldt State in Northern California and played in the school’s Marching Lumberjack band.

In 1980 Rob first encountered the Unification Movement in San Francisco on the way home from college. Shortly after he joined, he started working at Ned’s Loft with a small team and helped develop Ned’s Loft into a wood inlay studio. He played an instrumental role at the company as he pioneered their marquetry production process.

Rob received the Blessing on October 14, 1982 in Seoul, Korea to Hiromi Kitchens (Hiromi Ogata at the time). He continued to work at Ned’s Loft until they moved to Farmingdale, NY in 1983 where they rebranded as Creative Designs. Rob was still involved in production then and in 1987 Creative Designs moved to Ossining, New York. There, he spearheaded the digitization of production as well as the implementation of laser cutting into their production process. 

In 1989, Rob and Hiromi settled into family life in Ossining, NY. After years of trying to conceive, they received a son, Jeremy, in December of 1995. Rob was a kind-hearted husband and father and always made time for family. Rob, Hiromi and Jeremy spent many vacations with Rob’s family in California and upstate New York as well as Hiromi’s family in Tokyo and Miyazaki, Japan. 

In the mid to late 90s Creative Designs had rebranded again under a new name, Hudson River Inlay, where Rob continued to work in marquetry production and occasionally sales. Rob also continued to pursue his passion for music by singing in the church choir as well as playing the guitar and flute with his other musically gifted friends and coworkers. He later became well known for playing the guitar at Sunday service for the Belvedere Family Church. Rob had an infectious smile and fun-loving personality that welcomed all. People have been moved by the kindness and sincerity he offered to those who knew him.

He is survived by his son, Jeremy, and his siblings, David, Susan, James and Thomas, as well as a large extended family. Rob is moving on to the third level of life, and will continue to bring love and light to the Earthly and Heavenly worlds.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry
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