Kenneth Wayne "Kenn" Hermann

Surrounded by his family, Kenn Hermann, 64, of Kent, died peacefully at home on October 31 (Reformation Day) following a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Kenn was born in Rochester, Minn. on January 16, 1945, to William Henry and Ruth Lois (Huff) Hermann. He earned his M.A. from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. in 19th Century U.S. History from Kent State University. In 1980, the family relocated from Urbana, Illinois to Kent, Ohio. His passion for teaching and inspiring college students to think christianly about university studies led to the founding of Radix Christian Ministries. His popular course, C-POL (Christian Perspectives on Learning) was taught through the Experimental Program in the Honors College at Kent State. Kenn wanted students to be critical thinkers. In his on-line course, Technology and Culture, students were challenged to think about how technology has influenced our culture. In addition to teaching at Kent State and the Univ. of Akron, he taught at several private colleges. Internationally, he taught for two years at Kosin University in Pusan, South Korea.

Books were an important part of Kenn's life. His personal library grew to thousands, requiring him to find alternate storage places. Thinking about retirement, he opened an on-line used bookstore for scholars and serious readers called Black Squirrel Books (www.blacksquirrelbooks.com)

Kenn is survived by his wife of 41 years, Linda Jo Ellen (Berg); daughters, Jennifer Hermann (partner Darryl Dieckman) of Cincinnati and Michelle Hilliard of Stow; granddaughter, Shaelynn (Shae-Shae) Hilliard; sister, Shari Pfeifer of Minneapolis, Minn.; step-mother, Lola Hermann of Bartlesville, OK; the Berg brothers-in-law and their spouses; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Kenn is a member of the Akron Christian Reformed Church which was integral in bringing him to Kent.

Special thanks to the nurses and home health aides of Hospice of Kent who compassionately cared for Kenn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice, CaringBridge, Kent Social Services, Doctors without Borders or World Concern. Envelopes will be available at the church. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1435 E. Main St., Kent.