The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Robert Sherwood Kiper
NAPLES - Robert Sherwood “Bobby” Kiper, 86, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on August 9, 2024 in Naples, Florida. He was born on May 25, 1938 in Leitchfield, Kentucky to Sherwood and Virginia Hughes Kiper. Bob was a charming gentleman, loving and sweet, a family oriented man who was hard working and determined, thrifty yet always generous, with a great sense of humor and always the life of the party. Bob never met a stranger.
Bob graduated from Trinity High School in 1957, where he was a proud member of its first graduating class. He was later honored as Trinity’s Alumni of the Year in 1979, reflecting his lifelong commitment to his alma mater. He loved attending Trinity football games with his classmates or listening on the radio when in Florida.
Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly as he successfully owned and operated the Hungry Pelican Seafood Restaurants from 1960 until 1994 in Louisville and Southern Indiana. After enjoying retirement, he returned to the restaurant business by creating and opening Home Run Burgers in 2008, which he owned until 2020.
Bob was an avid fan of the Kentucky Wildcats. He was a skilled tournament bass fisherman during his retirement years. Bob was often found on the golf course and won the Senior Club Championship at Stonebridge Country Club in 2021. Bob relished wintering and then moving to live year round in Naples, Florida.
Bob is survived by his daughters Kathy Scannell (Gene), Cindy Nagel (Kevin), Joanie Kiper; his significant partner, Becky Inkel; his brother Steve Kiper (Julia); his nine grandchildren: Robby Smith, Tessa Wallingford, Logan Smith, Dakota Orth, Kirsten Wyatt, Noah Scannell, Jack Nagel, Maggie Oxendine and Quintin Orth; and four great-grandchildren: Jayla, Scarlett, Bowie and Arlo “Kip”. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary T. Kiper, his daughter Vicki Smith, his sisters, Lois Kiper and Rita Lee O’Brien and his parents, Sherwood and Virginia Kiper.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, followed by a reception at the Hungry Pelican Restaurant. A memorial will also be held this winter at Stonebridge Country Club in Naples, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bob may be made to Avow Hospice (1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples FL 34105), Trinity High School (4011 Shelbyville Rd, Lou KY 40207), St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church (5505 Bardstown Rd, Lou KY 40291) and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (625 111th Ave N, Naples FL 34108).