Who is Bob Kendry from Passing and what is their importance?

Bob Kendry was Kendry's father. He was a white man, which accounts for why Clare was born with light skin and hair. He died when Clare no more than a child. Bob was employed as a janitor, and his death, which was preceded by a visit from the police, infers that he was either a drunk or an activist. Clare displayed no grief over her father's death.