Kenneth James Cavanaugh M.D.

Dr. Kenneth James Cavanaugh passed away peacefully at age 88, on October 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 10, 1937 to B. Kenneth Cavanaugh and Elizabeth Eve (Lawson) Cavanaugh in Steubenville, Ohio, he grew up in a lively and loving extended family as the second oldest of five boys on the family farm.

After graduating from Holy Name School and Catholic Central High School in Steubenville, he attended the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1959). As the first person in his family to attend college, Dr. Cavanaugh credits Notre Dame for changing the course of his life. He was forever grateful for his lifelong Notre Dame friendships and loved everything Irish. He relished attending football games at Notre Dame and served as a “football ticket broker” for his family and friends. He was fiercely proud that all five of his children followed in his footsteps and attended Notre Dame.

Following Notre Dame, Dr. Cavanaugh attended St. Louis University Medical School, graduating in 1963. He completed his Internship at Philadelphia General Hospital in 1964 and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S Navy Medical Corps (1964-1966). Following his service, he completed his four year Orthopedic residency at Northwestern University in Chicago in 1970. During his residency, he did a hand surgery fellowship at Passavant Hospital in Chicago followed by a pediatric orthopedic fellowship at Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City.

In 1970, Dr. Cavanaugh discovered Colorado while attending a medical convention and decided to start a solo private practice in Longmont as the first Board-certified Orthopedic surgeon in town. Shortly thereafter, he co-founded Longmont Orthopedic Association with Dr. Thomas Darrah, a 29 year partnership formed over a handshake. Throughout their partnership of shared skills and mutual respect, they maintained the guiding principle: Always put the patients’ welfare above anything else, with money and personal time off as secondary. Their practice eventually became Front Range Orthopedic Center, a leading sports medicine practice in Northern Colorado with over 45 physicians today.

Dr. Cavanaugh was a pioneer in the research and practice of new innovative orthopedic techniques. He was one of the earliest orthopedic surgeons to do arthroscopy in Colorado, having performed over 6,000 arthroscopic procedures over his 38 years of practice. He combined adoption of medical advances with steadfast professionalism and empathy. He was awarded Associate Master Instructor of Arthroscopy of the Shoulder in 1994.

Among the many awards that he received during his lifetime, Dr. Cavanaugh was awarded Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in 1972. He was named Chief of Staff of the Medical Staff of Longmont United Hospital in 1978 and served as President of Colorado Orthopaedic Society (1992-1994). He was also a Member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS), Irish American Orthopaedic Society, North American Arthroscopy Society, American Society of Sports Medicine, International Arthroscope Society, Boulder County Medical Society, Colorado Medical Society and American Medical Association.

Dr. Cavanaugh enjoyed mentoring new doctors at Front Range Orthopedics, fostering a patient-focused culture of teamwork and excellence. His clear communication built trust, and his surgeries consistently produced strong results - from farmers returning to work after fractures to athletes recovering from ACL tears - enhancing Longmont’s reputation for excellent orthopedic care. He viewed orthopedics as a vocation and often made house calls following surgery if needed. He continued to advise patients long after his retirement in April 2009. The continued success and growth of Front Range Orthopedics after his retirement highlights the solid clinical and ethical standards that he and Dr. Darrah set from the beginning. He will be remembered as a pioneer in orthopedics and arthroscopic surgery, and a beloved leader in Longmont’s medical community.

Dr. Cavanaugh was also a lifelong active volunteer in the Longmont community, providing free sports physicals, supporting health fairs, and offering his expertise at Salud Clinic. He could always be found on the sidelines of Friday night football games for Longmont, Skyline and Niwot High Schools as their on-site physician. He also served as a ski patroller for Winter Park Resort. As a former baseball player, he co-founded the Longmont Little League Association where he coached for many years. A strong advocate for Catholic education, he served on the Board of Regents for Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, CO for 13 years.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Cavanaugh was passionate about golfing with his friends at Boulder Country Club where he played multiple times per week. He treasured competing in many friends’ Member-Guest tournaments across the U.S and enjoyed golfing in Ireland as a member of the Irish-American Orthopaedic Society. He was always grateful to Eileen for never complaining about his love of golf.

As firm believers in the value of Catholic Education, Kenneth and Eileen established the Kenneth Cavanaugh Family Scholarship at Notre Dame, ensuring future students benefited from the same values and educational opportunities that shaped his own legacy. They also established The St. John the Baptist Catholic School Endowment Fund For Tuition Assistance in 2000. He was always grateful that St. John’s offered a stellar education to his five children and to the larger Longmont community.

As a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend to all, Dr. Cavanaugh is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eileen Clifford Cavanaugh, a native New Yorker whom he met on a blind date while serving in the U.S. Navy in 1965. The best of friends yet complete opposites, he always credited their loving marriage to their strong Catholic faith and shared values. He was the loving father of Kenneth Cavanaugh Jr. (Donna) of Austin, TX; Dr. Kevin Cavanaugh (Jean) of Longmont, CO; Dr. Keith Cavanaugh (Maggie) of Shoreview, MN; Kathryn Cavanaugh of Austin, TX, and Kerry Cavanaugh (Meg) of London, England. He was the adored “Poppy” to twelve grandchildren: Caroline (Cavanaugh) Bove, Kailey, Kristen, Avery, Harry, Anne, Patrick, Mary Kate, William, Conor, Liam and Kate. Kenneth is also survived by his brothers Charles (Ann), George (Mary Kay), John (Cathy), and his 19 nieces and nephews. His brother Lawson preceded him in death in 2021. His life was deeply rooted in faith and family, and he took immense pride in the love, accomplishments, and closeness of his family.

Dr. Kenneth “Knute” Cavanaugh will always be remembered for his caring heart and his surgical skills but even more so for his visionary leadership, heartfelt service, generosity, mentorship, larger than life personality and undying devotion to family and friends. His story lives on in the excellence of the practice he co-founded, the patients he healed, and the family he cherished, inspiring others for many years to come. He truly was a “Man For Others” in every aspect of his life and will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.

Visitation will be held at Howe Mortuary on Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 4-7pm with the Rosary at 6pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 9:30am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Longmont, CO. Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/HUYNBZqpSrI?feature=share He will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery, Longmont, CO.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “The St. John the Baptist Catholic School Endowment Fund For Tuition Assistance” at St. John The Baptist School, 350 Emery Street, Longmont, CO 80501.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at www.howemortuary.com