Nathan Kennard's Obituary
Nathan was born at the Duke University Hospital April 9th, 1973, to Raeburn Gleason Kennard and Nancy Valleau Kennard. He passed away entirely too early at Beehive Homes of Draper (UT) on May 28, 2020, from Multiple Sclerosis. He was surrounded by family during his last week, and Sam and Chris were lucky enough to be by his side when he graduated from this life.
He lived a full and happy life for the short time he was here. After a childhood filled with camping adventures, bike rides, academic decathlon, scouting and a mission to Texas, Nathan studied at Utah State University and earned a Masters degree in Environmental Engineering. During those years he met and married his best friend Chris and they had four wonderful boys. He worked for the Utah Department of Natural Resources for many years. His love of life was contagious and he considered everyone his friend!
Nathan was an intelligent and passionate extrovert who needed to meet anyone close enough to say ‘hi’ to. In fact, he often created opportunities to meet people and talk. Part of the reason he learned to knit was because people would ask him what he was making and what kind of yarn he was using, which would open the door to all kinds of conversations. He would talk about intactivism, knitting, LDN, river rafting, kids, chess, hiking, ragnar, mormonism and exmormonism.
His intactivist work getting circumcision defunded earned him the nickname ‘Circumcision Guy’- a nickname he proudly wore.
He loved his boys and loved being a dad. He would read to them every night, and then play a game called ‘I’ll race you to sleep’ (he usually won). He didn’t limit his reading to children’s books — he read anything that sounded interesting including his law books and the constitution. A favorite memory of his boys is him reading ‘1984’ to them when they were 9, 8, 6 and 4. He would wake them for grocery runs late at night or take them on hiking adventures. One three-day weekend he decided to take them to Canada, where they were able to explore for a mere two hours before they had to head back. For about 10 summers, he took them river rafting down the Snake with work friends which furthered a love of nature and adventure in his sons.
Nathan’s vocabulary was legendary — a gift he got from his dad. He loved the English language and making puns or alliterations. He especially loved long words. Two of his favorite discoveries were "pneumenoultramicroscopicsilicovalcanoconiosis" and "hemidemisemiquaver." We think the reason he never swore was because there was always a much more impressive word that fit the situation better.
His hope was to donate his brain and body to the U of U Body Donation Program, but that was stymied by COVID-19 regulations curtailing donations. We are confident they are missing out on an incredibly interesting brain and are pretty sad that this silver lining was taken from us.
Nathan was preceded in death by his equally amazing mom, Nancy. We wish we could hear their conversation and feel they are watching out for us now. Missing him terribly are his sons Scott, Sam, Andrew and Elijah. He is also survived and missed by his dad Raeburn, his bonus mom Suzanne, siblings Elisse (Garry) Davis, Ashley (Matt) Jensen, Dawn (Ken) Orgill, Aaron (Nan) Kennard, Emily (Adam) Dunn and step-siblings Brad (Melissa) Southam, Robin (Darin) Perry, Shauna (Spencer) Shaffer, James (Whitney) Southam and Darin (Michelle) Southam. There are many dear friends who have a Nathan sized hole in their worlds now (Chris, Derek and others).
Nathan’s family all express deep appreciation to Angie, her staff (Nathan’s friends!), and the residents of the Beehive Homes of Draper care facility for their love and service to Nathan during his final two years of life. We are also so grateful for Nathan’s hospice nurse Jamie, who facilitated routine contact between Nathan and his sons when they could not visit during the past few months. Jamie was there through it all letting us know what to expect and that everything was okay.
A private family memorial service will be held this summer. In lieu of one big public memorial service, we encourage everyone who loved Nathan to gather a few other Nathan-ites, raise a glass of whatever beverage most reminds them of Nathan and tell happy anecdotes. If you have time to mail them to his boys at [email protected], they would love to hear your stories.
We’re hoping to place a memorial bench and a tree along the Jordan River Parkway- hopefully between his house and his sister Ashley’s. Nathan could use the pathway to walk from house to house, and we like the idea of giving someone like him a place to rest and some shade. If you would like to be part of this effort, please reach out to a family member or email [email protected] for donation instructions and an update.
Nathan’s passing has left us all feeling that life is short, precious, and full of big words just waiting to be used. Go out, have adventures, and be a bit more sesquipedalian in his honor.
What’s your fondest memory of Nathan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nathan?
Share a story where Nathan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nathan you’ll never forget.
How did Nathan make you smile?