Roger A Kennedy

Saying goodbye to accomplished writer, photographer, and sailing program founder Roger A. Kennedy, who wrote and photographed articles on America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Cup, and other major sailing competitions for Sailing World magazine and others, died peacefully early Sunday morning, May 15th, 2016, in Louisville, Kentucky.

He founded the River Cities Community Sailing Program in 1998, a non-profit which has introduced hundreds of Louisville area youth and adults to the joys of sailing.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on August 19th, 1943, Roger graduated from Griffith High School in Indiana in 1961 and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University. After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked for Montgomery Ward, and then backpacked across Europe following racing competitions, photographing events and writing articles for international sailing publications.

Recently he served as technical writer for Control Touch in Louisville, KY, where he produced systems operation manuals for companies including UPS, Delta Airlines, General Electric, BMW, and more.

He is survived by his long-time friend Pamela Shanks of Louisville, KY, her son, Brent Cain along with his two children Brenna and Brooke. Survivors also include his brother Robert Kennedy (Jean) of Syracuse, Indiana, two nieces; Rebekah Kennedy (Russell Fling) of Knoxville, TN, and Sarah Kennedy of Eagle, CO, and numerous cousins.

A visitation service will he held on Wednesday, May 18th from 4pm to 8pm at Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Road, Louisville. A memorial service will be held at St Matthews United Methodist Church, 319 Browns Lane, Louisville, KY 40207, on May 31st, 2016 at a time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the non-profit organization which Roger founded; River Cities Community Sailing Program, P.O. Box 8111, Louisville, KY 40257.