The following tributes to Kennan were sent to the Garveys by friends.
If you would like to submit your own, email it to tribute@libbygarvey.org.


From Antonio, Olivia and Nino Bravo

Dearest Libby,

I am so, so sorry to hear the bad news. You know how much Kennan meant to me as a friend, Friend, professional colleague, and mentor too.

You may not realize that Kennan opened my eyes and heart to Quakerism, not by anything he said, but rather how he lived his life. He personified an approach to life that I very much admired and that has served to guide me in my quest for the truth. He was one of the most humble, caring, and honest people I have ever met. Since having met Kennan, many, many times, I have stopped myself when faced with a seeminly insurmountable obstacle, and asked, "I wonder how Kennan would approach this." I truly mean this. He would chuckle at my impetuousness, and never criticize, but somehow make me realize that there was always another, less emotionally-charged way to the truth. In so many ways we were opposites, yet so similar in our love of family and willingness in make the world a better place for our children.

I recently spoke with Kennan and we agreed to find the time to get my Nino together with Jeremiah. He was oh so proud of you, Shannon and Ruth, and so very much looked forward to his august years to play the role of grandpa.

I will miss Kennan but never forget him. And you should know that you can call on me if you or the girls ever need anything. I know that Kennan would have done the same for my family.

My sincerest wishes of peace and calm for you and your family during this very difficult time.

With much love,

Antonio, Olivia and Nino Bravo

From Peter Keefe

Dear Libby,

I am unable to fathom the depth of your grief and would not presume to think anything I said or did could help, for it would not change your loss. So I will just say what I know to be true. What is true is that Kennan was one of the very few honest-to-goodness friends I acquired in my adulthood. Tom Wolfe notes that we make few real friends once we graduate from college, and I think that is mostly true. Ours wasn’t a friendship of convenience as are so many that begin in adulthood (especially in a place like Washington, DC). We were initially drawn together by handball, but it wasn’t the handball that made the relationship stick. It was an underlying appreciation, respect, and genuine liking for each other. We didn’t have to think why we liked each other. We just did. Let me illustrate with a recent story. I spent this weekend with another investment manager and we were talking about a certain financial phenomenon. Separately, Kennan, Lou and I had debated the same issue by e-mail. I said to my investment buddy that a friend had the final word on this subject, and so I whipped out my Blackberry and read the relevant quote from a Kennan e-mail. Kennan was remarkable in that way – quiet, laconic, but possessed of incredible insight, which he always managed to communicate gently, often with subtle, delightful humor – the best kind. Kennan is going to be remembered as a good and decent human being, and as a selfless person who believed the world could be better and that the job began with him. I am thankful for having had him in my life.

Peter

Brother Thomas Dillman of the Brothers of the Holy Cross is Kennan's uncle and has lived and worked in Liberia and now Ghana for all of his adult life. John Monibah of Liberia was a student of Bro. Tom's and is currently in Washington, DC on a fellowship.

Hi BT,

Ken told me you are already here. Welcome. I beleive we will meet when you come to the DC area. I am at the UMD just outside DC. I am looking forward to meeting you after a long while.

I also write to ask you to please convey my thanks and appreciation to Ken and his family. Since my arrival five months ago, they have been so vital and helpful to me that it is with God's blessing that i met them. The first thing he did when I came was that Ken took me to their home for a great evening dinner. From there he sent winter gloves, socks, hat, and hot pads to me. I am overwhelmed by Ken's kindness and generosity. Everytime I think of him it reminds me of your kindness and generosity to needy Liberians including me.

Part of my fellowship requirement is that I have to do an unpaid community service to express my gratitude to America for the fellowship and then do an unpaid internship at an American media organization (newspaper or radio). For two months i tried looking for community service and internship venues to no avail. I contacted the Don Bosco Rey High School after I saw an advertizement on their web site saying that they needed volunteers. They refused to take me in. I then contacted the Catholic Student Center on the UMD campus (thru the Priest) - the Center is always asking for volunteers to help. They also refused to help me get the community service. I was surprised and saddened at why they chose not to help when they had the means and vacancies and the community.

Downhearted, I then contacted Ken. He advertized my resume to the Washington Quakers. Within hours, emails started pouring in and the people were so receiptive and open to helping me that I still don't believe their level of concern for humanity. Tons of offfers were made - so much so that I had to choose among them. As a resulted I was accepted by the glorious Amnesty International worldwide human rights organization for me to do community service. The WashingtonPost.com and VOA have all accepted me for internship.

All of these were made possible by Ken. I am so happy and elated. Ken has been great, warm, and a personable gentleman par excellence, no equal. NOW he has invited me to the year-end Quakers luncheon on Christmas Eve. Ken is a fine gentleman. Please extend my immnese gratitude to him. Without Ken helping out, it would have been a bit different for me. PLEASE SAY THANK YOU TO HIM FOR ME.

welcome and hope to talk to you soon.
john

Peter Caulkins worked with Kennan at EPA and writes about Kennan's work there and also the trips they took to Nicaragua in the summer as part of a vounteer team for Bridges to Community to help build houses.

Dear Libby and Family,

I would like to express my sincerest condolences on Kennan’s sudden and tragic death. I worked with Kennan the last four years in EPA’s pesticide program mostly in efforts to reevaluate old pesticides as well as promote international harmonization and worksharing of pesticide regulatory activities. Given his ability to think though complex tasks both practically and comprehensively, he was the perfect person to take charge of implementing our new legislatively mandated, registration review program. When he started, the program existed only on paper. Today, we are initiating reviews on more than 45 pesticides this year thanks in large part to Kennan’s efforts to develop processes, formats and schedules. Kennan contributed not only by what he did but also by how he did it. He worked quietly, efficiently, respectfully and always in a helpful-to-others manner.

I also had the opportunity to work with Kennan down in Nicaragua building homes for the poor. He joined our group 2 out of the last 3 years and was planning on coming down again this summer. I thought this experience brought out some of Kennan’s best attributes. He was a hard worker at the construction site each day; still had energy to play with kids in the evenings and documented almost everything with his photos which he shared with everyone. Kennan seemed to get great joy in helping do for others what they couldn’t do for themselves without any expectation of getting something in return. When I emailed Bonnie and Jim (the in-country co-ordinators) last week about Kennan’s death, they responded “un golpe muy, muy duro” (a very, very hard blow) and we have decided that one of the houses that we will build this summer will have a plaque attached to it stating “In Memory of Kennan Garvey.”

Again, my sincerest condolences,
Peter Caulkins

From Les Davies, Canberra, Australia

It's hard to believe that I won't be able to exchange emails with one of my North American colleagues any more.

Kennan was one of nature's gentlemen. I can't exactly recall when I first met him - probably at an OECD meeting in Paris quite some years ago, but we then corresponded regularly on work issues and he was a gracious host on several visits to Washington DC when I had business to attend to at the EPA. Our email interactions went beyond work and mere formalities - we exchanged information about our respective families, trips and holidays taken, and got into some political and social discussions (the extent of this being limited somewhat by my typing speed!)

I still clearly remember spending a Sunday afternoon with him at a Quaker camp near Camp David, then joining him and Libby at a lovely meal at their home. In a subsequent visit he introduced me to his first grandson (he was a very proud grandfather!), then he took me on a tour of the museums along the mall.

In the early 2000s I was able to return the compliment when staffers from the EPA visited Canberra for an OECD meeting.

I got a strong sense that his Quaker faith had a significant influence on the way he lived life - there was no doubt that he had a heart of compassion for his fellow man.

Libby, my wife Alison also passes on her thoughts - like me she was taken aback to hear the news. She asked me to pass on our joint regards to you in your sad loss, but we know that you'll have many treasured memories of a life not wasted.

Les

From John Ward, EPA

......Kennan was one of the best people that I have known. He hired me into the job that I just retired from, and although he was a good boss, he was a great friend. He sent me a note last Friday expressing his pleasure at the selection of the new PREP Coordinator (my replacement), and also told me about his retirement plans. Every time we talked, he would catch me up on the latest news of the girls and grandkids. He was completely dedicated as a grandpa, and I always told him how jealous I was, since we don’t have any grandkids yet.

I last saw him in December when I was in Washington for a meeting. We had a great time visiting and he made some very kind remarks at my retirement gathering. Kennan had an outstanding relationship with EPA Regions, States and Tribes and I suspect this was due to the way he treated people....all people. He had the ability to make everyone feel important, and part of the mission, and thereby was able to bring out the best in most of us. I know in my case, it didn’t matter if I agreed with the project I was working on, or not, I simply didn’t want to disappoint the “boss.” I will miss him greatly. In the end, maybe his heart couldn’t accommodate the needs of his body as well as the world around him......

From Scott Stephens who served with Kennan and Libby in the Peace Corps

......I’ve also been thinking about all the great times we shared, going back to 1973. I remember pouring over Michelin maps of Africa in Bambari with you and Kennan and dreaming of all the places we could go. I thought about the recorder sessions at your apartment and Kennan’s great musical talent. I thought about the racquet ball and basketball and tennis games we played and his low-key, but intense competitiveness. I never saw him angry or flustered. He was so even keeled, so thoughtful, so content with himself and his life.

His life.

So soon over; I can’t believe he’s gone.

With love and friendship, Scott

From Steve Johnson, EPA Administrator

I am writing to say how very sad I was to learn of Kennan’s recent passing. We worked together for a number of years in OPPTS. I know that he will be missed enormously by his many colleagues at EPA. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Kennan was an outstanding friend and colleague who served the EPA and the Nation with distinction!

From Kennan's Sister Rita

To My Brother

Dear Kennan,

There are things that I should have said to you before today. Being two years younger than you was an unusual blessing. When I was young I thought you were a knight in shining armor that could slay any dragon. Everything you did seemed golden. You caught the winning touchdown passes, you knew the answers to every question and you were loved by teachers, parents and friends. How could I compete with that?
But then I grew older and realized there was nothing to compete with. You wanted everyone around you to succeed. You would quietly point out the good, deflect praise and shine a light on other’s accomplishments.
So, I learned from those things and saw that winning wasn’t everything and having all the answers wasn’t enough. Living a life of compassion, lifting up those around me and listening without judgment were far more important. You see I did notice the real lessons you were imparting.
You will, however, always be my golden hero and I will never forget your keen intelligence and glorious winning touchdowns.

Your loving sister, Rita

Cathleen Barnes worked with Kennan for about 20 years at EPA

....When Kennan was the Clerk for your Meeting, I was Chair of the Board of Trustees of my Unitarian Universalist Church, so we also had our church work in common. We often talked about the role of religion in our lives, the similarities of UUs and Quakers, although it was clear to me that Quakers are much more spiritual.

And that’s the level on which I connected with Kennan – a spiritual one. He was a person who lived his values, in every expression and action that he took. Difficult staff person? He handled the problem with care, gentleness and sincerity. Challenging work assignment that took way too much time? He dug in, focused, and got it done. Yet, no matter how busy he was, he was always available for help or guidance. He treated every one with respect, and people could only respond accordingly.

.....I hope these words bring you some comfort, and I hope I’ve been able to give you a glimpse of what it was like to share Kennan’s friendship. It was something I’ll always treasure, and I’m so grateful to have had him in my life.

The Barths are part of a group called “EP” for Environmental Perspectives, a college course the group took at Haverford. Through Libby’s sister, the Garvey’s joined the group for the Fall and Spring camping trips in Pennsylvania’s Pine Creek area. The families of “EP” have shared many adventures and become one large extended family.

Our hearts to out to you as you grieve for Kennan. The death of someone whose life was so rich and who so enriched the lives of others seems so unfair.

One of our original Haverford EP friends, Peter Bauer, once said that each of us at our best is a catalyst for good things to happen to others. That is certainly how we think of and will remember Kennan: recording memories for all of us by videotaping EP gatherings when the kids were little, pitching in to help with the logistics of divvying up the costs of an EP weekend, his thoughtful comments adding depth and insight to our varied conversations.

Throughout the 30 years that we knew him, Kennan’s quiet sense of pride and joy in his marriage and in his children and grandchildren was palpable. Thinking of him immediately brings to mind an image of him smiling under his mustache with that little twinkle he had. We will always treasure having had Kennan in our lives and will always miss him. We love you all. Cynthia and George (Barth)

Debbie Bassert, EP

Whenever anyone dies an untimely death it leaves me wondering anew what is the measure of a man’s (or woman’s) life. I will probably spend my life trying to figure that out; but from watching and talking with friends like Kennan I have learned so far that it is the many small gestures of love, patience and kindness we show, not so much the heroic deeds we accomplish, that accumulate and leave a lasting impression in other people’s minds about what kind of person we are – and choose to be.

I have so many mental images of Kennan, from the many good times we have shared with the Garvey family since you first joined our EP group – walking through the woods together; biking along Pine Creek; sipping wine and talking over large feasts set out for 20 or 30 people as well as in smaller, quieter gatherings; playing recorder with John, sometimes with me on flute and Libby’s voice accompanying; to trying to teach our respective dogs the Quaker peace testimony :-)

Kennan was one of the most calm and patient and stoic people I have ever had the pleasure to know. My last mental picture of Kennan now seems especially poignant in that regard. He was carrying Libby on his back along the White Oak Canyon trail on our fall 2007 EP trip to Camp Shiloh after Libby had sprained her ankle. I can’t think of a better testament of his devotion to Libby than this image.

One of the first times our family got together with yours outside of the EP gatherings, he shouldered Ruth at age 7 in the same way, after she resisted walking further on a hike up the hill near the Bassert cabin on Pine Creek. We could tell he was aggravated by her whining, but the path he chose was to support her – a clear sign of devotion to his children as well.

But his support went beyond just his immediate family in so many ways. In our case, he regualrly asked how Thomas was doing with his school challenges and conveyed not just support but a tangible and implicit sense of approval for the way we were struggling with those. I can’t tell you how reassuring that was. And when I talked with him on the fall 2006 EP trip about the conflict and discouragement I felt, when applying the Quaker tenet of trying to recognize “that of God in each of us” did not seem to be working in role as a manager dealing with two difficult, underperforming staff, Kennan calmly noted that there was another Quaker principle that was also relevant and might be of use – “let the truth speak.” This was a turning point for me in this stressful period and advice I will never forget....

Kristen Hendricks, EPA

....I have worked with Kennan for over 10 years (on and off). He was the most caring, rational, patient, and witty colleague. I have only fond memories of him. Kennan was an exceptional colleague and I’m sure he will be missed by our whole organization. I can only hope that all of your memories will help you thought this time. I’m sure I speak for many from EPA when I say that we are better individuals for having worked with kennan. It has been an honor to work with him and he will be missed immensely.

Kristen Brush Hendricks

Kennan worked to learn Spanish and to continue to learn by starting a lunch group at work with people who would speak Spanish. He also had great concern for the plight of those in our immigrant community. This letter is from Katie Hall Weyrauch at EPA.

As you know, your husband and dad was a very special man. I spent time with Kennan in Spanish class here at work. He was very proud of his family and talked about you frequently (in Spanish, of course). I feel like I know all of you – we heard about Shannon’s stay in Syria, Ruth’s college graduation and the bike trips he took with Libby. We even heard about the rabbit that ran around your house. He was very proud of his grandchildren as well.

We couldn’t have spoken Spanish on a regular basis if it hadn’t been for Kennan. He was always diligent about rounding us up to practice! I was impressed with his desire to learn Spanish and his improvement over the last few years! He went from a true beginner to being able to understand our fast-talking Cuban instructor.

Most of all I will miss Kennan for his kindness. He was always kind, always gentle, and always willing to help where help was needed. After we had settled into our new building, the building management decided that the daytime cleaning crew was going to be let go and be replaced with nighttime workers. Kennan helped respond to this issue by talking with building management and asking that they keep the daytime workers on.

Kennan also helped to organize the Christmas gift we give to the woman that cleans our floor. She has told me that she misses Kennan too. Kennan would practice Spanish with her, and she even met Jeremiah.

In short, I am truly sorry for your loss. I looked up to Kennan. I miss him too.

Kennan worked with American Indian tribal councils across the country while a Branch Chief at EPA.

We were so sorry to hear about Kennan’s passing. His kindness to us and his commitment to Indian Country meant so much to us and he was a freind to us in difficult times.

We are thinking of you and send our sincere condolences.

Mitakuye Oyasiu (“All Our Relations” in the Lakota language)

The Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) by 46 authorized tribal representatives

From Libby's cousin, Becky Test. Much of the family had gathered recently for Becky's mother's 100th birthday.

For us, Kennan represented that unique ability to bridge the generations, appealing and being sensitive to all ages, from Jeremiah to Mom! We have Kennan to thank for records of Mom's life, both in the video (when she was well) and the one from the party which we have watched over and over. He really loved everyone unconditionally and was loved by everybody, and that is a gift which obviously was noticed by anyone who came into contact with him. My favorite memory of Kennan was holding Jeremiah as he spoke at Shannon's wedding in the same meeting house, AND as he held Jeremiah (now so grown up) at Mom's party in that great picture of the Test clan.

From Kennan's coworker, Istie Yusuf.

Dear Libby and Family:

I am so saddened by Kennan's sudden death and will like to express my sincerest condolences to you. I learned yesterday about his passing because I moved to a different office about year ago. I worked with Kennan in EPA Office of Pesticides. He was a dear friend, a mentor. I turned to Kennan many times when I needed advise on pursuing career goals, on sharing a trip I took to Africa to assess environmental impacts of Somalia and he assisted me with different projects I was working on. He was always there for me to guide me and encourage me. I always felt good in talking to him. He always listened, smiled and gave me sound advises.

Last time I spoke to him was December 3rd, 2007. He was very special and touched many of us because of his caring ways, gentle attitude and his sense of assuring us that everything is going to be okay. He cared deeply about you and he was very proud to be a grand father. I am very thankful for having had him in our lives.

I will miss Kennan very much.

Istie Yusuf.