Richmond, VT - Robert W. Emery

December 14, 1985 – June 1, 2024

With profound sorrow and deep love, we announce the passing of Robert "Bobby" Emery, our much-adored husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. On June 1, Bobby shed his earthly body and his soul found grateful rest in heaven.

Bobby was a remarkable man whose generosity and quiet strength touched countless lives; though he was known to be the master of many crafts, Bobby's family was truly the highlight of his whole life. He was forever grateful to have married the love of his life, Kristen, and to know Bobby was to know his fierce and eternal devotion to his wife. Bobby embraced his stepson Devon as his own and guided him with wisdom and compassion. The birth of his son Jordan in 2016 forever changed Bobby; he poured his whole heart into fatherhood and loved to take his best buddy Jordan with him wherever he went. Instilling in his sons the value of hard work, resilience, and unwavering love, he also found great joy in teaching them the fundamentals of his favorite sport - baseball. Bobby could often be found in their backyard on a makeshift pitcher's mound, patiently pitching to one of his boys at bat.

Bobby showed early signs of his jack-of-all-trades nature which would serve him so well throughout life. He eagerly followed his father around the house and learned his first handyman skills at his dad's knee; decades later, Bobby was thrilled to be the real-life "Bob the Builder" for his doting son Jordan (who took equal joy in "fixing it!"). Bobby's kindness is a testament to the profound impact of his mother's love, and she provided him with an anchor of grace and humility. As a pastor's son and only boy in a family with six children, Bobby's childhood was shaped by the gentle guidance of his father's ministry and the steadfast love of his beloved mother and sisters. As a father himself, taking Jordan to church and playing the drums on the worship team remained two of the brightest spots in his life; faith and family were the twin pillars on which Bobby would always stand.

As an accomplished construction worker and carpenter, his hands built not just physical structures but also the foundations of his legacy: his tender heart, compassion, and the importance of showing up for one another. Bobby would do anything for anyone without hesitation. He was generous, loyal, and brave. In his too-short time on this earth, Bobby really, really loved us - and made sure we knew it. It has been said that "grief is perhaps the last and final translation of love. This is the last act of loving someone and you realize that it will never end. You get to do this: to translate this last act of love for the rest of your life."

The bottomless grief that will remain with us is all the unexpressed bottomless love we have for Bobby that will stay with us until we too pass. And so, as we say goodbye to the earthly body of Bobby and our hearts expand with grief and love intertwined, we will pass him on - leaving little pieces of him and his love in the hearts of others.

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior."

Bobby is survived by his loving wife Kristen and their adoring sons Jordan and Devon; his parents, Robert and Anne Emery who raised him with unconditional faith, love, and support; and his siblings Anette Emery, Nancy & Steve West, Eliza Emery, Katherine & Ethan Rose, and Molly & Nate Vincent who loved their brother beyond words. His nephews, nieces, extended family, and many friends and neighbors will forever hold Bobby close in their hearts and find comfort in knowing that he is at peace with his Heavenly Father.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00pm on Friday, June 14 at the New Life Christian Church in Milton. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you pass on an act of kindness to a friend or family member in Bobby's memory.