David J. Kennedy

Kennedy, David J. Age 77, of Bloomington, died of cancer on May 10, 2009. Born in Edina and graduated from DeLaSalle High School. He won a Navy ROTC Scholarship and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1953, then served as a naval aviator and eventually retired from the Naval Reserve at the rank of Commander. After active duty, he attended the University of Minnesota Law School, graduating in 1960. From 1960 to 1972: served as a staff attorney for the League of Minnesota Cities, then director of the Minnesota Office of Local and Urban Affairs, then assistant senate counsel for the Minnesota State Senate. He joined the firm of LeFevere, Lefler, Kennedy, O'Brien & Drawz in 1972 and later helped that firm's municipal law and public finance practices merge and become the present Kennedy & Graven, Chartered. For many years served as City Attorney for both Crystal and Sandstone, MN. Retired on June 30, 2008 after a distinguished career in local government law and public finance. In April, 2009 selected by the Minnesota State Bar Association to receive the Douglas K. Amdahl, Public Attorney Career Achievement Award. Dave's passion for public service lead him to serve various nonprofit endeavors, most recently on the Board or Trustees with the Community Reinvestment Fund, a national nonprofit that helps change the lives of people living in economically disadvantaged communities. Survived by his brother, Leo; his wife of 55 years, Mitzi; children Mike, Jane, Dave, Mary and Bill, and 9 grandchildren. Dave and Mitzi, Bloomington residents, are also longtime summer residents of Marine on St. Croix. Private service and interment at Fort Snelling, with a public reception from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hotel Sofitel, Bloomington on Friday, May 15, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given on Dave's behalf to www.clarehousing.org.

This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.