2022 Grand Marshal - Robert Kempenaar II

2021 Parade Grand Marshal

Robert “Rocky” Kempenaar II

Robert “Rocky” Kempenaar II was born in Newport, RI on November 18, 1958 to Robert Kempenaar and Kay (Crombie) Kempenaar. A lifelong Middletown resident, he moved to Newport in 2016.

His paternal grandparents Esau and Saime Kempenaar immigrated from Holland in 1903. Together, they started a nursery business in Middletown which later expanded to both Newport and Portsmouth. Maternal grandparents were Gaelic immigrating from Ireland and Scotland at the turn of the century.

Rocky attended Middletown schools graduating from Middletown High School in 1977 (“Go Islanders!”). After traveling in California for a few years, he returned to Middletown to work alongside his father in the family business. Kempenaar Real Estates, Inc. is a commercial development company, best known by locals as operating the Howard Johnson Inn in Middletown for over 50 years. That campus has grown to include three other hotels and various other commercial holdings here on “The Island,” and in MA and CT.

He and his wife Linda have been married for 22 years. She is a realtor with Hogan and Associates. Between them, they have three daughters and five grandchildren. Daughter Kajsa Kempenaar and her two children (Konnor and Kinleigh) live on Aquidneck Island. Linda’s daughters – Monique Frost and Chantal Gaston – both reside in Naples, FL. Monique and her husband Kevin have three young children (Lyla, Carter and Cole).

Rocky has supported the mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs. The services they offer in our community are so important. At the 2019 Yacht Rendevous fundraiser, Rocky was honored for 25+ years of service and commitment to the Newport County Boys and Girls Clubs. The Kempenaar Family has had a special rapport with the Naval Command College (NCC) – part of the Naval War College – for 60+ years hosting the foreign officers at an annual clambake.

Rocky golfs at Wanumetonomy Country Club. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is proud to support his beloved sister Kathy’s scholarship at Middletown High School. He’s been on the Discover Newport Tourism Board for 20 years and was recently appointed to the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. Rocky was also the Vice President of the Middletown Town Council until moving to Newport in 2016.

Rocky “O’Kempenaar” reports that he is humbled to be named the Grand Marshal of the prestigious St. Patrick’s Day Parade predicting that it will be one of the most memorable days of his life. He is honored to follow in the footsteps of so many great friends and patrons of our local community.

The Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is proud to have Robert "Rockey" Kempenaar II lead our 66^th Annual Parade.

About This Year’s Button:

Our yearly button designs try to incorporate the vocation or interests of our Grand Marshal. Thinking of Rocky, a very active person in the community, there were many directions to go, hotels, clambakes, politics, philanthropy, and more. After a week of kicking ideas around, we narrowed the design ideas down to two; his service to Middletown and hospitality..

The Parade Committee, an all-volunteer group of people, work tirelessly year-round to perform the countless tasks required to produce the many events that take place, culminating in the Parade. One of most enjoyable tasks is designing the Official Parade logo honoring our Grand Marshal. Working with a designer, we go though many prototypes. From original ideas, to sketches, to concepts.

So why do we choose one design over another? Some of it is subjective – we might like one design more than another. Some of it is technical – number of colors, complexity, printing, et cetera. But in the end, the best design honoring our Grand Marshal is chosen. Thanks for all the hard work by the designer, Mike Marshal, and the Committee!