Norbert J. Kent

Norbert J. Kent, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at home. A Celebration of Life Service will be 11am., Saturday, May 15, 2004, with Rev. Wade Panse officiating at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will be with Military Rites. Internment will be in Galien Township Cemetery. Friends may call on the family from 3-8pm, Friday, at the Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home or the Southwestern Michigan Humane Society. Those wishing to sign the guestbook or share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Norbert was born on September 19, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to John and Stella Kent. He attended four years in the Seminarii Minoris Sanrti Ronanenturae, graduating in June of 1939. He enlisted with the Armed Services on January 16, 1941 with the 901st Air Engineering Squadron where he attained the rank of Tech Sergeant as Airplane Electrical Shop Chief. Norbert received the American Defense Service Ribbon, Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Battle Star, 3 Overseas Service Bars, 1 Service Stripe, and Good Conduct Medal. Norbert fought in the Rhineland Campaign, and was honorably discharged on November 20, 1945. Norbert then joined the Hawaiian Air National Guard with the 199th Air Service Fighter Groups where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant and served as Aircraft Crew Chief and Electrical Specialist in charge of all training for Hawaii Air National Guard. He was honorably discharged in February 1950. While serving his country in Hawaii, he met and married his beautiful wife Dorothy (Arnold) Kent on March 10, 1950. They had two sons ? Randy and Gregory Kent. Norbert and Dorothy moved back stateside so Dorothy could earn her nursing degree. After a few years they moved to the St. Joseph Area. Norbert worked at Auto Specialties for seven years where he was promoted to Head of Labor Relations and at times worked directly with Mr. Waldo Tiscornia in settling Labor contracts with the employees. In 1960 Norbert started a long and prosperous career at Canteen Company, working under then President Leroy Bovik. He started as a Sales Representative. In 1963 he was promoted to General Manager. When Mr. Bovik retired, he became president of Canteen Company for the next ten years. Norbert always had ambition to own his own business. So in September of 1977 he resigned as President of Canteen and bought out Boynton Vending and Amusement and renamed the business Kent Vending and Amusement. The entire family ? Dorothy, Randy, and Gregory – worked for him. In 1978 tragedy struck the family on May 22, when Randy was killed in a motor cycle accident. Norbert retired and sold business in March of 1987 to Jim Russell of Russell Vending. During his retirement years, Norbert and Dorothy traveled visiting friends and sometimes visiting Las Vegas. They entertained friends with simple cups of coffee to ?Norb?s famous ribs? party on the outside deck. His wife Dorothy passed away in May 1996. He was a member of the St. Joseph Elks #541 and past President of the St. Joseph Kiwanis and officer of the Twin City Chamber of Commerce. Norbert was a loving and caring father to his family and kind and generous to his many friends. He will be so deeply missed. He is survived by his son Gregory of St. Joseph. He is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy ?Darcey? Kent and his son Randall.