Ernest Terry Kendall

Ernest Terry Kendall, of Brookline, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 24th at the age of 91. He was born to the late James and Aida Kendall in Brooklyn, NY in October, 1932, and later moved to White Plains, NY, where he graduated from high school in 1948. Terry always worked to help out his family, selling newspapers and magazines as a kid, delivering Western Union Telegrams during WWII, and as a soda jerk. He also was part of the Civil Air Patrol throughout his high school years. Upon graduation, Terry worked in the mailroom at Bigelow Sanford and Co. on Madison Avenue and took night classes at Columbia University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force to train as a test pilot. After washing out of pilot training because of his eyesight, he became a Staff Sergeant and worked in intelligence in North Africa.

With the help of the G.I. Bill, Terry studied at Columbia University, and took only four years to earn both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in thermodynamics. Upon graduation in 1960, he moved to Boston to work in aerospace for Avco. Moving over to Raytheon, Terry worked on re-entry heatshields and communication systems for the Apollo space program. That year he also met the love of his life, Eleanor Schwartz, who he married in 1963.

When President Nixon cut funds to the space program in 1970, Terry began a doctorate program in Economics at Boston University. During that time he taught at local colleges, and then to service and State Department personnel in Italy and Germany. Upon completion of his PhD in 1975, he worked at the National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge. In 1978, Terry opened his own economic consulting firm, Commonwealth Research Group, Inc., which he operated for over 25 years.

Terry was known for his energy, wide-spread interests, and sense of humor. He was a devoted eater of blueberry pancakes, he loved talking with people and learning about their backgrounds and work, and followed the news like a hawk. He also had an unending interest in planes, boats and cars, and could date any photo or movie that had those in them. Above all, he loved and was devoted to his family. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Eleanor, his children Sara (Tim Camuti) and Katherine (David Akeson), his granddaughter Claire Kendall Akeson, and his brother James Clifford Kendall.

The family would like to thank Linda Felix and Marelyna Andrade for the care and compassion they showed Terry over the last several years, and in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to his daughter Katherine Kendall’s house in West Newton for remembrance of Terry. Visitation with the family will be from three to seven o’clock on Thursday and Friday, May 30th and 31st.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to your local Boys & Girls Club.