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.