Allen Scott Kennedy

Allen Scott Kennedy of McHenry, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2024 at Davenport Funeral Home at 419 E Terra Cotta Ave #176, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 480 N. Walkup Road, Crystal Lake, IL. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to : buildadreamproject.org

Allen (Al) Scott Kennedy, born in Chicago, IL on September 10, 1937, passed peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024 from complications following surgery. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Scott Kennedy and Drusilla Marie (Walsh) Kennedy, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Janet (Sagen) Kennedy. He is survived by his children, Gregory Scott Kennedy, Suzanne Kennedy Rajchel [husband Joel Adour], and Beth Kennedy Robak [husband David Robak], along with four grandchildren: Nathan Rajchel, Shannon Rajchel, Mitchell Robak [spouse Natalie Robak], and Jenna Robak, and one great-grandchild, Khari Rajchel.

During childhood, Al’s family relocated from Chicago to Antioch, IL, then to Waukegan, IL, and finally to Zion, IL where they remained thereafter. Al graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1955. A good student, he also participated in cross country, basketball, and baseball all four years, being named both all-conference in basketball and senior athlete of the year his senior year. He met his wife-to-be Jan during his junior year in Spanish class. In summers Al visited extended family in Kansas with his father, attending a number of family reunions and Pentecostal revivals with his grandmother, during which he declared Jesus Christ as his Savior. Al also vacationed with his parents at his aunt’s lakeside summer home in Waupaca, WI.

Al completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Physics in 1959 at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). He played second base on the University varsity baseball team. Following graduation, the capstone of his baseball career was his selection for the Pan American games played at Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field in Chicago in September 1959. The team achieved third place. He played with pride alongside Lou Brock and Ty Cline, who would later play professionally.

Al began his career in June 1959 with Boeing Corporation in Seattle, Washington as a programmer for the first 727 airplane flight controls. He and Jan married in July 1960 in Waukegan. Their son Gregory was born in Seattle during their 3-year stay there. Al also attended University of Washington at night and received his Master of Arts in Mathematics. On the side, he played pickup basketball and began his lifelong loves of skiing and golf. He and Jan met several lifelong friends while in Seattle, with whom they enjoyed many connections and visits over the years.

In late 1963, Al and Jan moved back to Lisle, IL where Suzanne was born, then shortly after to Naperville, IL, at the time a small but growing community, where Beth was born. Al became a system analyst at Argonne National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy in Lemont, IL. His career at Argonne lasted 25 years, concluding as a Program Manager for environmental research and energy management programs. Al was a respected team member and manager, enjoying many friendships through his work. He played in basketball and golf leagues at Argonne in his early career there. While living in Naperville, Al and Jan were active members of Knox Presbyterian Church. Al then joined the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints in 1976, then served in various church positions throughout his adult life. Being a very patient teacher, he particularly enjoyed teaching boys’ Sunday School. He worked tirelessly compiling family genealogy. Even though he was generally a quiet soul, his understated humor, friendliness and humility gained him many friends in church and all other walks of life.

Al’s mid-life soul-searching at 45 resulted in discovery of his true life’s passion, carpentry and building, which he learned from his father in adolescence. He’d begun on the side performing numerous remodeling projects on his own house. Following his Argonne career, he transitioned to being his own business owner by taking building trades, design, decorating and business classes at the community college. He joined the National Association of Home Builders as a Designer/Builder/Remodeler, then launched his namesake Al’s Home Improvements, Inc. (long before Tim Allen’s TV show, which later became a favorite). Al served many customers in Naperville, Wheaton, DuPage County, IL and beyond over his 30+ fruitful years in business. He hired, trained and managed a full crew for much of it. In addition, he held respected relationships and friendships with architects, suppliers and subcontractors. His work included every form of home remodeling and major additions, as well as building several homes.

Al’s avocation in sports after college was golf, which he learned in Seattle, played at first competitively, then played socially, throughout his adult life. He coached boys’ baseball during his childrens’ early middle school years, followed by skiing with them throughout their teens & young adulthood. Al and Jan extensively traveled the nation & world as a team, including visiting friends & family around the country. When at home, together they gardened, attended symphony concerts, and spent time with their grandchildren. They designed their final ‘dream home’ in McHenry, IL together in 2006-7, living out their final 17 years there and wintering in Siesta Key, FL, continuing to enjoy their many new and long-time friendships. After Jan passed in 2022, Al was attended in his final season by a team of very wonderful and compassionate professional caregivers.

Al will be most remembered for his love for God and family; his commitment to his wife; his endless storytelling; his smile, laugh, friendliness and sense of humor; his superb craftsmanship, vision and creativity in building; his quiet acts of service to others in need; his hidden generosity; his diligence as a business owner and employer; his patience as a coach, teacher and mentor; his self-deprecating humility; his athleticism; his fondness for Orange Fanta, strawberry ice cream, and extra-thick shakes served in the aluminum blending cup; and his angst over not being better at golf, then over having to give it up at 85.

Al’s love will live on in our memories and in our hearts.