Service Details
Per Rodney’s wishes, no service was desired. His remains will be placed along the La Farge Kickapoo River by his children and families.
Memorial Suggestions
Memories and condolences may be sent to 2600 Antoinette Trail, Racine, WI 53402.
CALEDONIA – Rodney Dean Kennedy, age 78, of Racine, WI, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 with his children Susan and Sean at his side.
Dad will be loved and missed by his surviving children: Susan Kennedy (Richard) Torine, and Sean Rodney (Zobia) Kennedy. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren Benjamin Forbes Torine; Rodney Zundel Kennedy and Rana Muriel Kennedy.
Rodney is survived by his sister-in-law, Pat Kennedy; favorite niece, Vickey Moutsopoulos; nephews Todd Kennedy; Steve Kennedy; Bryce (Theresa) Kennedy; and Stewart Kennedy; grandnieces Diana Moutsopoulos (Raghav) Mani and Erica Moutsopoulos, and many loving great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar Byrd and Edna, his sisters Phyllis Kennedy, Dorothea Kennedy, Kay Kennedy Koehn, brothers Harold Kennedy, Ronald Kennedy and recently, his brother-in-law Robert Koehn.
Rodney was born on June 3, 1939 in Viroqua, Wisconsin to Oscar Byrd and Edna Mae Kennedy. He grew-up in La Farge, WI on the family farm. Saying he loved sports is an understatement. He played all sports for La Farge High School, but excelled in basketball, his favorite. He graduated from Platteville-Wisconsin with his bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Masters in Counseling, and eventually earning a doctorate in Psychology. His dissertation was on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy that he practiced until his end.
He worked as a Job Counselor for the state of Wisconsin through the Racine County Workforce Development Center for 35 years. He enjoyed reading, writing, documentaries, and movies. He loved researching and gathering knowledge about La Farge and his family. He was a Badger football season ticket holder and talked fondly of his game buddy, Sue Rindy, who he had known since high school. An athlete all his life, he ran in the first Al’s Run in 1978 in Milwaukee, and enjoying biking and playing doubles actively until December 2016 at the Racine Tennis Club. Grandpa test drove Ben’s new tennis racquet the night before he passed.
A special thank you to the cardiac team of Dr. Mark Awolesi, Gary Hawkins PA-C, and Kerri Schley NP; Dr. Sari Hart; Donna Thompson and Tammy Sieracki and the staff of Ridgewood; Heather Hamler RN who provided home healthcare and support; Shalene Monty of St. Monica’s; and Bethany Coats-Topel MSW, nurses Laura and Michelle of Allay Hospice.
Per Rodney’s wishes, no service was desired. His remains will be placed along the La Farge Kickapoo River by his children and families. Memories and condolences may be sent to 2600 Antoinette Trail, Racine, WI 53402.
Marianne Rozinski says
Susan and Sean – my sympathy to both of you and the family. I worked with your father for most of his years with the State of Wisconsin both in Racine and Kenosha. He was a wonderful man and I was proud to call him my friend! We used to meet for coffee at Barnes and Noble on the Friday after Thanksgiving, during the Christmas holidays and Good Friday for many, many years. We had great conversations and many laughs. He used to talk about both of you and his grandchildren. He always brought his picture album to share the photos of his trips to Alaska. I will miss him. My heart his saddened to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace.
Terri Johnson says
Will miss your friendship and our coffees at Starbucks Bucks and all of the good stories you had. Miss you always, my friend, Terri Johnson
Sheri Eisch says
Dear Susan and Sean,
I am devastated to see your Dad has passed. I worked with your Dad from 1998 to 2003 at the WDC, he was my mentor and good friend. We shared many days of laughter. Without Rod I never would have went on to get my Masters in Counseling and obtained my position as career counselor at Gateway tech college, a job I love. I owe it all to him! He encouraged me and taught me so much the days we worked together. He would talk about both of you and how proud he was of both of you. He would tell me about his trips to Alaska. I just met up with your Dad last summer, at Barnes and Noble for coffee, of course, and he beamed when talking about his grandchildren. I cannot express my sorrow that he is gone, I was looking forward to catching up with him again this summer. Your Dad will forever be in my heart.
Darren Mason says
Susan and Sean, I am very saddened to hear your dad has passed. He was always a very nice person to me when I would stop by your old home on Ashland Ave. My condolences to all of your family.
LANNY SMITH, Madison says
I was surprised and saddened to hear of Rodney’s passing. I grew up and went to school with Rodney at La Farge and knew the family well. I was always glad to see Rodney at the La Farge All-School Reunions.