Ernest Kendall Obituary

Dr. Ernest Whitney Kendall

Bridgewater, VT — Dr. Ernest Whitney Kendall, 81, of Bridgewater, VT died August 8, 2022 in Houston, TX after battling cancer. He was at home with his beloved wife, Nancy, at his side.

Ernest was born on March 15, 1941 to Charles Cobb Kendall and Helen Whitney Kendall and spent his youth in Bridgewater in its hills, fields and streams. There he gained his appreciation for the natural world, developed a deep love for rhubarb, black currants and acquired his stoic philosophy. He was in the Civil Air Patrol, a St James Episcopal Church/Woodstock acolyte, and an avid skier and outdoorsman. A 1958 graduate of Woodstock Union High School, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, MA and earned a BS in Geoscience in 1962. He was a Delta Kappa Epsilon brother at MIT and credited his fraternity for supporting him through the MIT years. In 1970, he was awarded a doctorate in Geologic Sciences from UC Berkley in Berkely, CA.

Ernest and Nancy met and married as students at UC Berkely in 1967. Ernest was a very tall, quiet, big-footed science student and Nancy was a gregarious, svelte and stunning social work student. It proved to be a tremendous, enduring love match and partnership for over 55 years. Ernest was a devoted husband. As Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (Ernest/Ghana; Nancy/Chile) they thirsted for travel and new experiences. With PhD in hand, Union Carbide hired Ernest, sending him all over the world, starting in Darwin, Australia. Professional awards soon followed over his 33-year executive career at Union Carbide/Dow Chemicals in both geological exploration and environmental science. His career hallmarks were his scientific rigor and a deep commitment to professional standards of integrity. In all his travels, Africa took his heart due to its vast, raw beauty and its diversity of peoples and cultures and he explored the continent extensively during his lifetime.

Upon retirement, Ernest and Nancy lived in Bridgewater, VT/Houston, TX. He was a proud and adored father to Sarah Kendall (Craig Slivka), Elizabeth Kendall-Lee (Richard Lee), Andrew Kendall (Anisa Kendall) and Georgiana Trif (Sorin Trif). He was a devoted and adored grandfather to his six grandchildren: McKenna Lee (20), Meghan Lee (18), Hannah Slivka (15), Sophie Kendall (7), Amelia Kendall (6), and Christopher Ernest Trif (6). Ernest delighted in the accomplishments of his family, often offering suggestions (of varying levels of 'originality') for further exploration and development. He is survived by his adored sister, Linna Kite (Providence, RI). A man of few words, he deployed a devastatingly wry, dry, and extremely quick wit. His observations have become one-liner truisms indelibly woven into his family's vernacular.

In his professional and personal life Ernest was known for an unshakable commitment to ethical conduct and standards. As paterfamilias, these were modeled daily. He was the family's "North Star" and his opinion and advice often sought. He taught his children to have a work ethic, an open, questing mind, and to be kind and respectful. He strongly encouraged a love of Cardigan Welsh Corgis. He delighted in the weird and unpredictable facets of the world, always hunting surprising facts. He was happiest engaged in giving back to the community. He (and Nancy) rejoined the Peace Corps (Romania) in '2004-06; was a member of the Bridgewater Historical Society serving on the Board of Directors; built and rode on floats for Alumni of '58 in the Woodstock Union High School Alumni Weekends; volunteered for Meals on Wheels; was in the MIT Alumni Association and the Society of Economic Geologists.

Ernest's family will remember his wisdom, his entertaining stories of growing up in Vermont, travel, work and his love of family and his generosity. We will be eternally grateful for the gift of his life. Condolences may be offered at www.NeptuneSociety.com. There will be no formal services. A celebration of life will be held by the family at a future date. To honor Ernest, please consider having a toast with a friend or performing a kindness for someone less fortunate.