Robert L. Kydd, of Chelmsford, (& Sarasota, FL.) passed away peacefully Nov. 6, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Jean (McAllister) Kydd with whom he shared 61 wonderful years of marriage.

Born in Lowell on Nov. 7th 1932, he was the son of the late Jack and Edie Kydd. Bob graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1950. He was captain of his football and basketball teams. Bob served in the U.S. Army as Staff Sgt, during the Korean War.

In Bob’s early career he worked for his grandfather at Kydd’s Dairy & Ice Cream Stand & Kydd’s Diner (known as Skip’s) before becoming co-owner of Jack’s Diner. In 1957 Bob and Jean founded Elm Hill Breeding Labs raising guinea pigs for research. Elm Hill Guinea Pigs were instrumental in the development of the Polio and TB vaccinations, also the Cochlear ear implant.

Bob was a member of Chelmsford Board of Appeals, founding member of Chelmsford Elks, Trustee of Lowell Five Bank, member of William Sewall Gardner Lodge of Masons, and member of Holiday Lighting Committee. Bob was inducted into the CHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2012. He and his wife established the Jack’s Diner/Kydd Family CHS Alumni Scholarship.

An avid golfer, over the years Bob held memberships at Vesper, Nabnasset, Mt. Pleasant, and Stoneybrook in Sarasota, FL. Bob’s children and grandchildren have many fond memories of the many boating trips in Boston Harbor on “Grampy’s Boat”.

A seasoned traveler, he and his wife visited over 20 different countries. They traveled extensively in their RV. Bob was a very social guy who enjoyed playing cards with his buddies, and spending time with family and friends.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Jean and his children Robb Kydd of Tyngsboro, Kathy Stokes (Terry) of Steamboat Springs, CO, Kenny Kydd (Sharon) of Chelmsford, and Cindy Tessier (Michael) of Chelmsford. He was the proud grandfather of Jessica and husband TJ, Breanna and husband Derek, Gregory, Katelyn, Jenna, Kevin, and Alex Tessier. He was also the proud great grandfather of Thomas, Casey, Aubrey, and Kaleigh. He also leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Margaret Tyler of Chelmsford and Jack Kydd of North Kingston, RI.

Visitation will be held in the Blake Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford on Wednesday from 4 until 8 PM.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 2 PM in All Saints' Episcopal Church, 10 Billerica Road, Chelmsford. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.

Interment with military honors will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford.

For those who wish, donations in loving memory of Bob can be made to: The Paul Center for Learning and Recreation, 39 Concord Rd., Chelmsford, MA 01824.