HASTINGS, Neb.—A tour around First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church shows example after example of the contributions Bob Kent’s hands have made to the church.
From the pulpit, altar and baptismal font in the Celebration Center to the church’s visitors center to bookshelves in the pastors’ offices, his work is pervasive.
“I think the best thing about Bob’s woodworking is that he does it with such care,” said Adam White, associate pastor at First St. Paul’s. “He’s leaving a legacy that will be with the church for long time.”
Kent, 79, began helping at the church in the late 1960s.
“It’s a hobby, but it’s also what I did as a living,” he said. “I was a construction carpenter. I started out as a carpenter and became a construction superintendent and I worked at that for 42 years.”
All but one of those 42 years were in Hastings.
His late wife, Erma Jean, worked at First St. Paul’s for many years and he began building pieces for the church during the late 1960s.
“First St. Paul, I’ve always been pretty close to it,” he said. “If they needed something done and I could do it and save them a little bit of money, then fine. I don’t do it for a lot of recognition; I just enjoy doing it.”
When asked how long has he been retired, Kent said he’s still working.
“I’ve just always done it. My dad was a carpenter before me,” he said. “I was the only one who took it up.”
While Kent was attending Hastings High School, the principal at the time got him a job with Kealy Construction, which he began the day after graduation.
“I enjoyed woodworking class in school,” he said.
It’s this passion for wood, in addition to a passion for God, that White said are Kent’s greatest attributes.
“When those are brought together, it’s a great thing for Bob and for the church,” White said.
Kent is currently installing fittings, drywall and hanging door frames for a youth area in the church’s basement called the Christian Underground.
“I think the greatest thing about the woodworking is that for him, it’s worship,” White said.
Kent also showed a toughness and dedication as he was constructing the bookshelf in White’s office last fall.
In the process of working, Kent cut himself and White took him to get stitches.
“They sewed Bob back up, and he came back and started working like it was nothing,” White said. “It was extraordinary. I would’ve been home all day, crying.”
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Information from: Hastings Tribune,
