Kevin had requested that his body be donated back to the Medical Center that provided him such good care in hopes of furthering research with cancer. Therefore we will not have a traditional wake/burial, but instead will have a celebration of his life. Kev always enjoyed a good party, so this one is for him.
Thursday, Oct 30 at 5:00 pm
Lakewood Yacht Club
2425 NASA Parkway
Seabrook, Texas 77586
Dress is business casual - no black suits allowed. Can you imagine Kev hosting a party with black suits?
Hotels are still hard to come by, so for anyone travelling from out-of-town, please contact Laura Merritt (laura.r.merritt@nasa.gov , 832-260-4321) and she will set you up with some wonderful housing courtesy of folks from work and the sailing club.
The format is open, but I’m thinking some music, a slideshow of photos and time for anyone who would like to share a few stories. Jay McAndrew (msjaym@gmail.com , 713.504.3360) is taking care of organizing this. Please contact her if you’d like to say something - I think this will be the best part.
RSVP is not required, but we would like an estimate just to make sure we have enough food and seating. Once you know you’re coming, just drop Kathy Goethe (algoethe@earthlink.net , 281-844-7010) a note and let her know how many will be attending.
Thanks everyone and we hope to see you in a few weeks.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
8 comments:
Deneen,
I have greatly admired your courage and resolve over the past months as I have followed, on the blog, the sad decline of Kevin’s health. You are truly an exceptional person. I cannot imagine myself or most other feeble people enduring, with such strength and grace, all the turmoil and overwhelming troubles that have come your way. And in the midst of this storm, you were able to write so clearly and descriptively and without any self-pity. The power of your writing, coupled with my memories and affection for Kevin, often left me with tears in my eyes. Thank you for allowing me and the others to follow the events surrounding the departure of our mutual friend, Kevin.
I will always remember him as a climbing partner and fellow engineer. I counted up our climbs together – there were only six. But I remember each one clearly. That dang guy didn’t know how to complain about anything. I am an expert complainer and this character trait of his was nearly unfathomable to me. It would rain on us, drench us to the skin and the low clouds would ruin any chance of finding the route to the summit. He didn’t really seem to mind – he refused to take himself or the unfair twists of life too seriously. I think this characteristic must have served him well in recent years as he fought the good fight. What a guy.
I wish you and your two great kids the best.
Bob Packer
Everett, WA.
Deneen,
Bob said it much better than I can. Kevin's attitude is an inspiration. He was a joy to work with and a great companion on the mountains. I did but four trips with him and Bob.
We tried Morningstar/Del Campo and were rained out. Bob somehow stepped on a nest of hornets and lost his glasses. Kevin and I chuckled over this, knowing it could have easily happened to us. We climbed Mt Baring. We climbed The Triad.
But the most amazing trip for me was our climb up a trip Kevin had lusted after for some time -- Outer Space. I was way out of my element but he and Bob dragged my sorry behind up the vertical face. The last pitch was a classic vertical crack with chicken heads. That was the pitch Kevin really wanted. As he started up, it began to rain. Kevin managed to lead that section anyway, and Bob followed. Kevin placed an extra piece that I could grab to get past the crux. By the time it was my turn, the rock was flowing water. So I grabbed that piece and it came out! Naturally, I fell. Kevin, way above, was belaying me. I hung there for many minutes trying to get prusiks going (my feet were hanging in space with no hold to be found). He patiently waited in the rain, holding the reins as I struggled up there. Yelling up "tension" many times, he managed to get me up this classic climb. It was a fantastic experience to share. Kevin was really happy to lead that last pitch and I was really happy to share it in my own inept manner.
Kevin is giving me that tension on the rope now... thanks for the belay, Kev! Thanks for belaying your family too. Thanks for the inspiration.
- Steve Fox, Everett WA
From Bob P's post, "That dang guy didn’t know how to complain about anything" is how I remember Kevin.
- Dave Spencer
Deneen,
Bob has put into words very well what I've been feeling since Dave McCann and Jim Nelson forwarded your email earlier this week. I've since read through Kevin's Blog extensively and marveled at the strength and perseverance you both showed throughout.
I haven't seen Kevin since the C-17 days, and I only crossed paths with you a few times during my ISS tenure, but nonetheless I feel an undeniable kinship. Probably because we're the same age, same profession, working the same programs. I happened to tour a C-17 last Monday (I hadn't been in bldg 54 in at least 10 years) and as I walked around looking at the structure I remembered the faces of all the folks who did the original design back in the 80's when we were all packed into building 35. As I stood on the ramp toes Kevin came to mind.
I wear a LiveSTRONG band every day to remember my father and some close friends who fought similar battles; and mostly to remind myself to live each day the best I can for myself and my family. Clearly that's how Kevin did it.
Gary Germain
Huntington Beach, CA
Your extended Interscholastic Hockey Family would like to express their heartfelt thoughts during this time of loss. We appreciate Kevin's interest and support of hockey in Houston. The league would like to make a donation in Kevin's name. Please let me know where you would like the money to go.
Deneen,
Thank you for sharing Kevin's life with us and his struggle. What an inspiration you both have been. He certainly lived large and fought the good fight. You are in our prayers. Working with Kevin on the solar array repair effort last year was one of the high points of my career at NASA. We will all remember him well.
Joe Tanner
NASA retired
Boulder, CO
Deneen,
Although tonight is Kevin's Celebration of Life, I take a moment to acknowledge that my heart is saddened for our loss, and my compassion reaches out to you, Kelden and Nicholas in hopes to soften the change taking place and let you know you’re not alone. He enjoyed life SO much. It has been said that when a person has completed there purpose in this life, they often move on from this life. He clearly has been the beacon to many. To me he represents valor, family, exploration, adventure, clarity, compassion, intelligence, love and respect. I can only imagine that the beauty and light he brought came very early in his life. Just look at his amazing family. Maybe his purpose was complete, but his love for you and his family compelled him so much that he stayed on for so many more years.
Having touched deep into the souls of others and inspire them to empower themselves like Kevin did is something I want to do as well. He seemed to enter this life having knowing where he was heading, the wisdom of how to set his sail and the deliberate intent to make it happen. I loved the poem. I’m still trimming the sail, with the guidance of my soul. I know in the end I will simply transition on. Kevin reminds me that we are here for the experience and the time is now. He knew that long before I met him twenty years ago. I still look up to him. The only difference is that, now, when I look up to him, he will be right there.
Nick,
California
As a fellow worker of Kevin's on the ISS team, I have to tell everyone what a priviledge it was to work with him. Kevin's inventive mind, calm demeanor, insightful words and candor was refreshing and inspiring. There are people who are always good at telling everyone "something is broke", and then there are people who figure out a way to "fix" that which is not easily "fixable". Kevin was the latter. He was a "Problem-solving, get it done" type of guy, which always made it a pleasure to work with him. His intellect, wit, hard work and honesty will be sorely missed by our team and the program. His friendship, personality and presence will be missed by all who knew him. Kevin truly was a unique individual and I regret not having/taking the time to become as good a friend as I could have to truly appreciate the gift of Kevin's life. However, I feel enriched to have had the oppotunity to have interacted with him in my life and get to know him through work and other experiences. I am better person for it as we all are. So I count my blessings, thank the heavens for people like Kevin and look forward to celebrating his life with you all today.
Bill Easton
Post a Comment