Richard Allen Kennedy

Richard Allen Kennedy, 91, crossed life's finish line on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at Sentinel Point Retirement Community in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Rich was many things: husband, father, grandfather, hunter, fisherman, race car builder and driver, and a handyman for the ages.

He was born May 1, 1933, in Garrison, Pa., the only child of William and Goldie (Taylor) Kennedy. When Rich was 7 years old, his family moved to Grandville, Mich. His father worked in the oil fields in southwest Michigan and later for a farm equipment company.

He had an engineer's brain. From an early age, he had a gift for fixing things, and he sometimes made parts to replace those he couldn't fix or replace. He repaired and rebuilt numerous vehicles, and he was a self-taught plumber, electrician, auto mechanic, and heating and cooling specialist. More than once, he said, "I'm happiest with a tool in my hand."

Rich was never a demonstrative person. He showed his love of family and his support of friends by doing: moving households, or making repairs or improvements to his kids' cars and homes.

Rich graduated from Grandville High School in 1951, then briefly attended Grand Rapids Junior College. In 1953, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He was assigned, appropriately, to the motor pool, but when he learned that the guys he saw jumping out of airplanes got extra pay, he became a paratrooper, so he could send more money home to his parents.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, he joined his father as a mechanic at the farm equipment company.

Rich met Patricia Cordes, a registered nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids, about 1956. One of his friends was dating Pat's roommate, and when Rich accompanied his friend to Pat's apartment, sparks flew, igniting a 68-year relationship. They were married on May 3, 1958, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Belmont, and they lived in an apartment in Grand Rapids. Their generous landlord gave up room in his garage to let Rich build a race car, the Star Special, and Rich drove in races in Michigan and Ohio.

Rich soon took a job as a heating and refrigeration specialist at the Spartan Stores warehouse, and he and Pat bought a house in Belmont, where they raised their four kids: Dennis (Lynn), Bob (Pat Latus), Barb (Bill Scott), and Jim (Rita). Rich retired from Spartan after 35 years.

When the kids were young, Rich and Pat acquired a retired school bus that had been painted green and retrofitted as a camper. On summer vacation trips, they explored various areas in Michigan and into Canada, with fishing always on the agenda.

In the meantime, he sold the Star Special and bought an English-built Elva Mark 6 in Canada. He competed in road races and hill climbs, but eventually his interests changed and he sold the Elva. Racing remained in his blood, though, and years later, he and Dennis, and grandson Brock, got into Kart racing for several years.

One memory from Dennis: "One race, Dad was running second, I was behind in fourth. Dad tangled with the Kart behind him in a terrific wreck. I barely missed him as I went by.  My first thought was, 'I hope he is all right.' My immediate second thought was 'Cool, I am now in second place!'  Dad was pleased with my concern but smiled greatly at my success."

Rich was not one to sit still. His interests, in addition to racing, were mainly outdoors: squirrel hunting, deer hunting, turkey hunting, salmon fishing in the fall and steelhead fishing in the spring.

Salmon fishing camp became an event: a long weekend on the Pere Marquette for many years and later on the White River. Rich and his sons, his sons' friends, and various ne'er-do-wells would fish the river during the day and then sit around a campfire at night, telling lies.

Rich developed a brief but intense interest in photography. He bought a camera and other equipment, took classes, joined a photo club and built a darkroom. One of his lasting legacies is a photo montage of the people in his life – family and friends – and having copies framed for Christmas gifts to Pat and each of the four kids.

Rich was generous with his time and talents. As the kids moved away and started their new lives, and as they bought houses with problems, he would take road trips and fix things.

He was never shy about expressing his opinion, he was proud of all his kids, and he and Pat made sure they each had a college education.

While working at Spartan, Rich bought a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, and he and Pat would go on camping trips in Michigan and other states until they got tired of sleeping on the ground in tents.

After Rich retired, he and Pat moved to Walker, where they lived for about 20 years. They became RV campers and spent six weeks or more in Florida to escape the worst of Michigan winters. They sold the house in Walker and moved to Sentinel Point in 2021.

Rich is survived by Pat; their four children and their spouses; and grandchildren Brock (Cortney) Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, Claire (Phil) Aufdemberge, and Zach Latus-Kennedy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11:00 am, Saturday, December 7 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 423 First St. NW Grand Rapids with visitation at 10:00 am. Lunch will follow at the Activity Center adjacent to the church.