Rev. R. Daniel Kendall S.J.
January 11, 1939 - May 26, 2020
The Reverend R. Daniel Kendall S.J. died peacefully on May 26, 2020, at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, CA. He was 81 years old.
Dan was born in Miami, Arizona, on January 11, 1939, to Robert D. Kendall and Loretto (Jakle) Kendall. Growing up in Phoenix, Dan attended Saint Francis Xavier elementary school and Brophy College Preparatory. He entered the Society of Jesus in Los Gatos, CA, on September 7, 1957.
During his Jesuit formation, Dan received bachelors and masters degrees from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. On June 6, 1970, Dan was ordained a priest in Phoenix and then went to Rome for further studies. He earned a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute (1973) and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University (1975).
Dan taught theology at Gonzaga University from 1975 to 1979, and was then missioned to the University of San Francisco where he served several terms as chair of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. He also taught abroad in China, Macao, India, and the Philippines. Dan co-authored several books, published many scholarly articles in Theological Studies and The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and was the book review editor for Theological Studies for ten years.
Dan is survived by his sister, Sister Anne Kendall, BVM. Due to the sheltering restrictions, the funeral mass will be live-streamed at 4:30 PM on Friday, June 5, on the Saint Ignatius Parish website. Burial will be private at the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jun. 1 to Jun. 3, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel S.J.

5 Entries

Bill and Kathy Bezy

November 28, 2022

We met Fr. Dan at the downtown Los Angeles Train Station on the September day he boarded the train for the Novitiate in Los Gatos. Bill had been his friend since kindergarten growing up in Phoenix only a few blocks apart. I was seeing off my Uncle Bud's (Fr. Eugene J. Schallert, SJ"s) former student, The day was fortuitous since I also met Bill Bezy, an incoming freshman at Loyola U, among the well-wishers. And so began a very special friendship. Our eldest son Billy Bezy received his first Communion from Dan, on the day of his first Mass. We were part of Dan's remote Celebration of Life from our home in Baja Ca. Sur in Mexico. Among his many worldwide friends who were privileged to join and celebrate by way of video. It's such a privilege to contribute to his memory in this way....even belatedly, since I simply ran across this memorial just today while looking for something else on the LMU site. He was such a holy man and gift to all who knew him. Bill and Kathleen Bezy.

Theresa Montalvo

June 30, 2020

Eternal memory and blessed repose.

Rosalie Alfonso & Ka'ala Carmack

June 9, 2020

Sitting next to Father Dan at our numerous First Mile sessions was a special honor. On our first meeting he admired my silver watchband laced with turquoise and amber stones very similar to the one he was wearing. We smiled, and acknowledged our connections to Arizona. Father Dan was a pleasure to talk to and I felt at ease telling him about by family background. Both my husband, Ka'ala and I are blessed to know Father Dan and will miss our conversations and the feeling we are left with after our visits. His kindness, generosity, and warm heartedness, and his positive outlook on life and his willingness to share what he learned from his many travels filled our hopes for a better world. Dan, we'll never forget the amazing tour you gave us of the USF Lone Mountain campus. We will miss your presence but promise to stay enlightened by your spirit.

Janet Giddings

June 2, 2020

To Fr Kendalls Jesuit family, his sister, friends and students, I send my condolences. I had the great pleasure of working with Dan at USF and have seen him through the years always to meet his smile and good conversation. He was an intellectual without arrogance, a kind hearted soul, and good humored. I am grateful to have known him.

Tappan DeArrigunaga

June 1, 2020

I was shocked to hear Dan passed . He was a positive influence in my life , A good friend. I enjoyed the great conversations we had at Sunday brunch and swimming at KC. He was one of the most active energetic people I knew , traveling regularly, just finished another book, exercised several times a week, teaching as well . We miss you Dan !

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