Kit Carpenter

Resident of Oakley, California

November 11, 1936 – May 21, 2017

Kit Carpenter lived many lives during his 80 years. He was a devoted husband, parent, brother, and grandparent. He had a large circle of friends and cared deeply about the world around him. Kit spent his life creatively engaged in the community where he was born. He attended College of the Pacific in Stockton where he met Dotty, the love of his life. He raised his family in his grandparent’s farmhouse, worked to help Oakley grow in a sane way, was a local farmer, and an entrepreneur.

His deep sense of place included the waters of the Sacramento River and the mountains that fed it. In childhood, he explored the sloughs, dirt roads, and hills of Oakley with the freedom of a bygone era. His family camped in the Sierras where he became a skier, backpacker, and whitewater rafting enthusiast. Kit passed on this love of nature to all of his children and grandchildren.

For all of his commitment to home, Kit was a risk-taker at heart. His curiosity and sense of adventure led him to unusual places. He ran flooding rivers in small boats, with his young family in tow. He built irrigation systems for villages in far-flung places like Yemen, Tanzania, and the Dominican Republic. He viewed business as a journey, not a destination. He rarely backed away from interesting opportunities, and he encouraged his children to do the same.

These qualities also made Kit open to new ideas, dedicated to the politics of compassion, and willing to engage in lively debate. They even led him to become a longhaired, Volkswagen-driving hippie during the 1960’s and 1970’s, an unusual stance to take in a small rural town.

In the 1990’s Kit was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, and his indomitable spirit focused on a new challenge. Given a fairly short time to live, he signed himself up for risky experimental surgery. This led to a heart transplant, which bought him 17 extra years of life.

Kit used the time to enjoy quieter pursuits like walks on the beach, books, theater, grandkids’ soccer games and large dinners with family. He got to know all of his grandchildren, deepened existing relationships and, essentially, loved more. Kit died at home last week, surrounded by family and friends, and beautifully supported by the Nobel hospice team.

Kit Carpenter is survived by his wife, Dotty, and his children, Erika, Aaron and Chris Carpenter. He has seven beloved grandchildren - Sylva Carpenter, Sophie Carpenter, Emma Carpenter, Maya Carpenter, Dillon Carpenter-Dorworth, Japhy Carpenter-Dorworth, and Rio McFarland. He is also survived by his sister Carolyn Carpenter, nephew Brian Huff, and cousin Shirl Merz.

Join us in a celebration of Kit’s life on June 6th, from 12:00 -3:00 pm, at the Golf Club at Brentwood.

In lieu of donations we ask that you consider registering with the DMV as an organ donor and offering another family the priceless gift that we received from Oscar Torres, Kit’s heart donor.

Arrangements under the direction of Brentwood Funeral Home, Brentwood, CA.