Tag Archives: Alan Kennedy

Alan Kennedy ’43

Alan Kennedy, 91, died April 11, 2018 at Swedish Medical Center in Edmonds, WA of complications from esophageal cancer.

Al was born June 7, 1926 in Worcester, MA to Madelene (Bell) and Owen W. Kennedy Sr. He had an older brother Owen W. “Bill” Kennedy Jr. (’41) who he loved and admired.

He served in the Navy and was a Lt. Commander in the reserves until his death. In 1946 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland, OH.

Al moved to Seattle finding work with The Boeing Company where he helped design the landing gear for the Boeing 707. Al later transferred into the Marine Systems Division working on Hydrofoils mainly on the military side. He remained with MSD for the rest of his 36-year career.

Al married Mary Patricia “Pat” Nollan. They adopted two children and raised their family in Bellevue, Washington. Al is survived by son Thomas Alan Kennedy and his wife Margaret Kennedy and their two children. He was preceded in death by son Keith Henry Kennedy and survived by Keith’s wife Jill Kennedy and their two sons.

He later married Janice “Jan” Cleveland  and continued to live in Bellevue, WA. Al and Jan were married 36 years. On retirement, they moved to Whidbey Island where they spent 20 years living in Green Bank on Honeymoon bay. Al and Jan later relocated to Panorama City in Lacey, WA. They remained there till Jan passed away.

Al is survived by Jan’s two sons Robert Scott Cleveland, wife Pamela Cleveland and their daughter and Frederick Earl Cleveland, wife Kathy Cleveland and his children.

Recently, Al moved to Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, WA to be closer to family.

Al loved nature, mountains to sea. As a longtime cabin owner at Crystal Mountain, he was an avid skier, active with the ski resort, and an early Ski Patrol volunteer. He enjoyed camping, fishing and exploring Mount Rainier National Park. The Sunrise area was special to him. You could often find him eating his lunch admiring a last look at Mount Rainier before heading home.

On Whidbey he enjoyed clamming, crabbing, building oyster beds and eating a ton of mussels. He was an enthusiastic volunteer at the local Lighthouse working at the visitor center.

He was very generous with his time and support of causes close to his heart including his passion for education.

The family would like to thank everyone at Chateau Pacific for their kindness and friendship and Swedish Medical Oncology in Lynnwood for the care and medical treatment Al received.