ROBERT KENISON

KENISON ROBERT SAMUEL KENISON Robert Samuel Kenison, 79, of Arlington, VA, passed away on June 13, 2018 after a brief illness. Born July 11, 1938 in Evanston, IL to Samuel Morris Kenison and Gertrude Kenison (née Sullivan), Bob was raised in Manchester, NH. He graduated summa cum laude from St. Anselm College in Goffstown, NH in 1960, and from The Harvard Law School in 1963. After law school, Bob joined the Peace Corps, and the experience changed his life. He served for two years in a poor barrio in the city of Manizales, Colombia. He met his wife-to-be, also a Peace Corps Volunteer in Manizales, and established lifelong friendships. Living and working in a desperately poor community, he came to believe that there was a role for government in helping the poor, especially in a society where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Bob pursued a career born of this experience, serving with distinction as an Associate General Counsel in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In his forty-plus years of public service, he earned the friendship, respect and admiration of many, and won numerous awards. Bob was the only HUD official to have three times received the President's Rank Award, under Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. In retirement, he was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland's Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development. More than ten years after his retirement, he received yet another award, from a forum of the American Bar Association, for outstanding service and commitment to affordable housing and community development law. Bob is survived by Anne, his beloved wife of 52 years; his daughter Laura; son-in-law Colin; brother Paul; nieces Tracy and Dale and their families; many cousins and friends, as well as Anne's sister Debbie and mother Rose, now 102. He was predeceased by his parents, both of whom died too young, and his brother Arthur, known to family as Ralph, who died in 2017, five years after the devastating loss of his wife Jeanne. Bob, who loved reading, golf, jazz, travel, and work, will be remembered for his keen intellect, sense of humor, integrity, commitment to public service, and love for his family. At Bob's request, there will be no funeral. Contributions in Bob's memory may be made to Capital Caring/Hospice, 2900 Telestar Ct., Falls Church, VA 22042; or Compassion and Choices, compassionandchoices.org.At Bob's request, there will be no funeral. Contributions in Bob's memory may be made to Capital Caring/Hospice, 2900 Telestar Ct., Falls Church, VA 22042; or Compassion and Choices, compassionandchoices.org.