The following is Kennan's obituary which ran in his hometown newspaper in Evansville, Indiana.

Kennan Joseph Garvey

Kennan Joseph Garvey, 56, died at his home in Arlington, VA on Saturday January 19, 2008 of a heart attack.

Kennan was born in Evansville, IN to Robert and Marian Garvey on February 4th, 1951. He graduated as salutatorian in 1969 from Reitz Memorial High School, where he held various class and club offices, lettered in football and track and was named All-City Football. At the encouragement of local alumni, Kennan attended Yale University, graduating with honors in 1973 with a degree in Political Science. As a freshman, he walked-on and earned a spot on the varsity football team but opted to concentrate full-time on his studies in other years. He met his wife Libby, a Mount Holyoke student, while there. They married immediately upon graduation and served for two years in the Central African Republic teaching English for the Peace Corps. Upon returning to the U.S., they settled in Arlington, Virginia and Kennan began his lifelong career working in the Federal Government where he served in various areas including Branch Chief and Program Analyst in the division of Pesticides for the E.P.A, Government and International Services Branch, Field and External Affairs, Office of Pesticides Programs, and Senior Advisor, Special Review and Reregistration Division, U.S. EPA. In these positions, he worked in international pesticide control and was selected as the top federal employee to lead an international commission on this issue in Paris in the late 1990’s.

Kennan was an active member of Friends Meeting of Washington D.C. where he served as Clerk of the Meeting and currently as Clerk of Trustees. Throughout his life, and in his quiet way, Kennan gave generously and humbly of his time and leadership in many volunteer activities including annual trips to Nicaragua to build earthquake safe homes.

He continued his love of sports, most frequently in bicycling and handball, including a handball tournament on the day of his death, and annual soccer matches with his admiring nieces and nephews every Thanksgiving. He and his wife enjoyed many tandem bike rides together including several Bike Virginia Rides and many weekend rides in the Shenandoah.

Kennan was a loving husband, father, Abuelo (grandfather), and brother who continually demonstrated his love of family. His role of grandfather never ceased to bring him joy. Jeremiah (his oldest grandchild) will dearly miss their long bike trips, summers in the pool and weekends of fun. Kennan was a true friend to many, always willing to help, patiently giving wise advice and connecting those who had needs with those willing to give. His gentle humor, unflappable nature, joy of living, constant love of learning, and boundless energy will be missed by all who knew him. His sudden and untimely departure is a lesson to value every moment with those we love.

Kennan is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, Elizabeth (Test), daughters Shannon Hughes and husband David, and Ruth Garvey of Arlington VA, beloved grandchildren Jeremiah Garvey (6), Mikaela Ruth Febres-Cordero (14 months), and Owen Hughes (10 months); sisters Judith Garvey and husband James Bergin of Blue Hill ME, Maureen O’Connor of Evansville IN, Rita Bourland and husband Michael of Columbus OH, brother, Norbert Garvey and wife Marti of Nashville IN, stepfather Raymond Niemeier of Evansville IN, mother-in-law Jean Quay of Madison WI, sisters and brothers-in-law and 12 nieces and nephews and a great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Patrick in 1978 and Marian (Dillman) in 1997 and a brother, Patrick, in 1957.

There will be a private cremation service for the family on Thursday, January 23, in Virginia and a memorial service at the Friends Meeting of Washington in Washington D.C. on Saturday February 23rd. Memorial contributions may be made to Phoenix Bicycles, an organization combining Kennan’s passion for biking and love of children (see www.libbygarvey.org/kennan for details). Condolences may be sent to the family at garveyruth@yahoo.com