ROBERT L. [ BIG BOB ] KIENIETZ FOUNDED MEGA | 1997 CHARTER LIFETIME MEMBER #00001 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND | 1956 – 1958
2/12/1936 – 2/28/2007
Big Bobfounded the Marine Embassy Guard Association in 1997 with the intention of connecting Marine Security Guards – Past, Present, and Future. His vision lives with us to this day as we strive to fulfill his Mission and Vision for this Association.
Each year, the Marine Embassy Guard Association honors an individual(s) that have (has) provided outstanding service to the Association by awarding the Founders’ Award. The award acknowledges the selfless service provided to MEGA by Big Bob.
Big Bob passed away at the age of 71 on February 28, 2007 at his home in Clifton, Colorado. He was born to Herman and Agnes (Kiel) Kienietz on February 12, 1936 in Harvey, Illinois. Robert graduated from Danville High School in Danville, Illinois. He served in the Marine Corps from 1953 – 1959 with tours of duty in the Amphibious Reconnaissance Command in Hawaii and as a Marine Embassy Guard in Geneva, Switzerland. He married Mary E. Vail on September 3, 1961 in Danville, IL. They moved to Colorado in 1972. Robert was a member of the Force Recon Association and he is the Founder of the Marine Embassy Guard Association.
Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, camping and fishing. He enjoyed the computer and made many friends all around the world via the internet. He was a tropical and saltwater fish enthusiast. His two grandchildren were his pride and joy; he loved watching their school musical performances and cheered them on during their sporting events.
He is fondly remembered by many as “Big Bob“. He made a big impact on the lives of those around him and he is greatly loved and missed by many.
Family:
Robert is survived by his wife Mary, daughter April (Dave) Kent, two grandchildren, Jessie-Marie and Robert, all of Clifton, Colorado. He is also survived by two sisters, June (Les) Young of Lake Wales, FL and Brenda (Charles) Bostic of Danville, IL.