It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that the founder of Kitchen Associates & Sterling Surfaces, Robert “Bob” Sponenberg passed away this past Saturday, January 9th, 2021. Bob worked tirelessly to make Kitchen Associates and Sterling Surfaces what it is today, a company passionate about its work, coupled with a level of professionalism that is rare in this day and age. The Family continues to work hard to continue that legacy.

In the late 1950’s, Bob and his wife Judy moved to Fitchburg. With a $200 investment, he started to do small remodeling jobs, particularly on kitchen cabinets. He would start to do installation for a cabinet manufacturer in Fitchburg, working out of his home office and garage.  He opened his first showroom in Leominster in 1972, and eventually built the building at 76 Leominster Rd in Sterling where we are located today.

Bob especially loved to solve peoples kitchen design problems. They would come in with a plan and figure something that was designed beyond what they expected could be done with the space. It did not matter the size of the job either. He took pride in making sure his clients were happy with a job well done. He taught his employees the value of treating customers with dignity and respect. He would say “whether someone is coming to buy an expensive kitchen or to just ask for directions, always treat them with respect.”

His employees always appreciated his self-sacrifice and hard work to keep the business going through both good and bad economic times. He treated his employees like family. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him.