Robert Martin Kersey

Robert (Bob) Martin Kersey died on January 31, 2026 in Charleston, SC. He was 90 years old. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 22, 1936 to his parents Alice Louise (Meves) Kersey and Robert William Kersey of KY. 

He is survived by his wife Betty A James (Jansson) (married on March 21, 2003) and daughter from first marriage Becky Peraza ( Freddy Peraza) and Step Children Bill (Tammy Jansson) and Jennifer Jansson.

Bob was preceded in death by first wife Priscilla Ann (McSwain) Kersey, his son Marty Kersey and step son Jim Jansson. 

Bob was the eldest brother to two sisters, Ruth (Kersey) Revells and Judy (Kersey) Rogers both preceding Bob in death. He is currently survived by a brother-in-law, Silas Clayton James and daughter-in-law, Ruby (Sweaney) Jansson. Surviving grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews are from Fl, NV, CA, AK, NM, WA, SC and CO and other relatives in KY CO, NC and GA.

Bob was a 1953 graduate of Louisville Male High School in KY and of The Citadel, Charleston SC (Class of 1957) where he was in the Regimental Band Company and was one of the original bagpipers from the era of General Mark W. Clark. He sang in the Cadet Choir and belonged to other organizations while there. 

He graduated as a Civil Engineer and was drafted into the US Army in 1958 attending Infantry OCS at Fort Benning, GA, where he was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers and graduated from Airborne and Ranger Schools. He spent the next 20 + years serving stateside in SC, GA, VA, IN, MO, KS & TX; a tour in Korea, two tours in Vietnam and two tours in West Germany for 16+ years. His additional training allowed him to graduate from the US Army Command and General Staff College. He retired from active duty in Kaiserslautern Germany in 1979 as a Lieutenant Colonel and continued his Federal Service there as a Consulting Civilian Engineer until December 1988 and was then reassigned to Fort Stewart GA and served until he retired in July 2002 with 44 years total Federal Service.

Bob was active in many organizations since his youth including Boy Scouts of America from age 9 to 52. His hobbies were music, photography, bowling, golf, model trains, gardening, sightseeing/travelling, history and teaching/caring for others. 

He was an active member of Portside Baptist Church where the service will be held at 2pm Saturday February 7, 2026 at 1179 Remount Rd. North Charleston, SC.