Husband, father, grandfather, teacher, war hero, tree farmer, civil engineer. Born Nov. 23, 1917, in Dunrobin, Ont. Died June 4 in Kingston of pneumonia, aged 92.
Russ Kennedy was born to Mabel and James Kennedy at their farm home west of Ottawa. The first of six children, Russ was a natural leader. He excelled at school, completing a bachelor of science degree at Queen's University in 1941 before being commissioned as second lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Engineers.
His leadership skills were tested during the Second World War, particularly when, as reconnaissance officer for the 23rd Field Company, he made repeated trips across the Rhine under heavy enemy fire and rain to rescue British paratroopers stranded near Arnhem. In 1945, Russ received the Military Cross from King George VI, his citation stating: "There is no hesitation to follow where he leads."
Home in Canada, Russ joined the faculty of Queen's University, where he remained for 40 years, his many roles including associate dean of graduate studies and research and vice-principal of administration. One project that gave him much satisfaction was the lakeside park constructed according to his plans from rubble excavated from the site of the university's underground parking garage.
In 1946, Russ married Shirley Workman, his college sweetheart. Four children - Ian, Robert, Nancy and Barbara - completed a perfect family. But shortly after Barbara's birth, a brain tumour left Shirley an invalid until her death in 1966. The baby went to live with Russ's brother's family while Russ coped with three lively kids, his ailing wife and his work at Queen's. The extended Kennedy family rallied, helping where they could.
In 1968, Russ married Marjorie Rice. He cared for her in his last few years as she suffered from dementia, and she died of a brain tumour 11 days after him, on June 15.
In 1983, Russ purchased a farm near Tamworth, Ont., northwest of Kingston. Bordered by the Salmon River, its 146 acres included ancient granite formations, spruce and pine forests, a maple bush, a dilapidated barn and an ancient tractor. Russ added a cedar-log house and small barn, tapped trees and made maple syrup, and planted even more trees. In 2009, he donated the farm to Queen's University's civil engineering department for teaching and research. He much enjoyed attending an inaugural event featuring student engineers racing (and sinking) cardboard canoes on the river.
Russ spent many summers at his cottage on the Ottawa River near the place his great-grandfather, Richard Sweeney, settled circa 1853. Family regularly gathered for bonfires on the shore, amateur theatricals and book launches, the most recent to introduce Boats, Bridges and Valour: The story of the 23rd Field Company in WWII, which Russ co-wrote with his sister Elizabeth.
Russ's death left many of our discussions unfinished and weighty theological problems unresolved. He had fought a long, brave battle with cancer and in the end double pneumonia took him gently away. His ashes rest in the little United Church cemetery in Dunrobin, Ont., land that was once part of the Kennedy farm.
By Elizabeth Marsh, Russ's sister.