Russell Glenn "R. Glenn" Kennedy
Russell Glenn "R. Glenn" Kennedy passed on Nov. 14, 2009, at the Montana Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls with family at his side. He was two days shy of his eighty-seventh birthday.
R. Glenn was born Nov. 16, 1922, in Anaconda to Frank Leiter and Naomi Gould Kennedy. He had four brothers and one sister.
R. Glenn graduated from Anaconda High School in 1941, having become an Eagle Scout. He lived by the Scout Law his entire life — trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
After high school, he worked in the drafting department at the Anaconda Copper Mining smelter before enrolling at Montana State College in Bozeman. His education was interrupted by military service in WWII. R. Glenn served in the intelligence section of Regimental Headquarters of the Seventh Calvary in the Pacific theater, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. After the war ended, he remained in the reserve for three years. He finished his college degree in 1949 after he met Betty Jean Terry. They were married on June 13, 1948 in Missoula.
R. Glenn and Betty had three children: Merry Kay, Fallon, Nev.; Terry Glenn, Livingston; and Daniel Frank, Wasilla, Alaska. R. Glenn and Betty have seven grandchildren: Brenda, Rebecca, Naomi, Lindsay, David, Rachel and Teresa; and one great grandson, Lucas.
R. Glenn taught school in Wilsall and Ft. Benton before moving to Columbia Falls in 1955 to take a job with the Anaconda Aluminum plant. He was a supervisor for most of his career and then a superintendent before retiring in 1984.
First and foremost, R. Glenn Kennedy was a family man. He attended every event his children participated in. He enjoyed taking his family camping and imparted much knowledge of the outdoors to his two sons, taking them hunting, fishing and hiking up Teakettle and Columbia mountains. He was an accomplished carpenter.
R. Glenn served on the Columbia Falls School Board, was a Cub Scout Cub Master, a member of Toast Masters, and a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife Betty, the immediate family, and one brother, Kenneth "Buzz" Kennedy of Seattle.
The Kennedy family extends a special thank you to Montana Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls for the extraordinary care of R. Glenn during his three-year illness. The staff became part of the family.
R. Glenn's remains have been cremated. Memorial services will be at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, Dec. 5, 2009, 11 a.m., with Pastor Peter Erickson officiating. A reception will follow. Friends are encouraged to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to First Best Place Task Force at www.firstbestplace.org
Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.