JENIFER KOHOUT

KOHOUT JENIFER ANNE KOHOUT Jenifer Anne Kohout lived competitively and passionately. She hiked, camped and traveled extensively in Alaska, Europe, Antarctica, and South America. "I've had a wonderful life," she would often say. Jenifer passed away July 23, 2018 in Anchorage, AK with her partner and spouse of 22 years, Karen Konopacki, by her side. Born in Northampton, Massachusetts on April 15, 1964 and moved with her parents to homes in Paris, France; Clark AFB, Philippines; Colorado Springs, CO; Norfolk, VA; Loring AFB, ME; Alexandria, VA; Blytheville, AR; and Omaha. At Fort Hunt High School in Virginia Jenifer played soccer and field hockey and won an athletic scholarship to Duke University, where she graduated with honors in Public Policy and Economics. After Duke Jen enrolled in law school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and graduated with a J.D. and a M.S. in Natural Resource Policy and Planning. Award of a Henry Bates International Travel Fellowship took her to Sydney, Australia and the Environmental Defenders' Office there. Upon returning to the U.S. and passing the Michigan Bar, Jen received a clerkship with the Alaska State Supreme Court and worked for Justice Warren Matthews. This was the start of a life-long passion for Alaska where she could apply her legal skills to environmental issues. After the lawyer in her found expression as an Assistant Attorney General for Alaska and Assistant Director of the Alaska Public Offices Commission, Jenifer moved to the field she loved with the Alaska Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There she enjoyed a rewarding 18-year career working in a variety of positions culminating in serving as co-chair for a diverse group of Alaska stakeholders in creating the Polar Bear Conservation Management Plan. For entertainment, Jenifer hiked and competed in long-distance races including the Susitna 100, Boston Marathon, Ironman Arizona, several 70.3-mile triathlons, Crow Pass & Lost Lake Runs, and many favorite local races. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on August 18, 2018, in St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Anchorage, AK. Jenifer's favorite charities were Alaska Public Telecommunications, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Alaska Animal Care and Control.