Henry Conrad Kenski

1943 - 2023

Born April 7, 1943 in Quantico, VA, Henry Conrad Kenski passed away in his home in Tucson, AZ on September 25, 2023 after a long life well-lived. He was 80 years old. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, accomplished musician, compelling teacher, and insightful scholar and political analyst. The son of a Marine, Henry moved around as a child. He attended Salpointe Catholic High School, which he paid for himself by giving accordion lessons and playing sets around town. He was featured on La Hora Mexicana as the little Polish boy who arrived in America and played accordion. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and his doctorate in political science from Georgetown University. He met his wife Margaret in graduate school and married in 1968. They then moved to Tucson.

     He was a professor at the University of Arizona from 1968 to 2017. He taught in the Departments of Political Science and Communication. He authored scholarly work, such as Saving the Hidden Treasure: The Evolution of Groundwater Policy and Attack Politics. In 1991, he received the National Communication Association's prestigious Golden Anniversary Monograph Award with three colleagues for their study on inoculation strategies for promoting resistance to political attack messages. He designed the University of Arizona's first political campaign and media courses. Active in politics, he worked for U.S. Representative Mo Udall and U.S. Senator Jon Kyl as well as a consultant for many political campaigns.

     Henry is survived by his daughters, Kate Kenski, Carolyn Kenski, and Erin Paradise, his sons-in-law, Jeff Anicker and Rafael Vazquez, and his four grandchildren, Henry, Robin, Adaleyha, and Vincent Anicker. He is also survived by his sister, Gloria Kenski, sister-in-law, Carolyn Corgan, and brother-in-law, Joseph Corgan. A Memorial will take place on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Mother of Sorrows, 1800 S. Kolb Rd. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Henry C. Kenski's life. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at www.dana-farber.org. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.