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Kit Kamien Obituary
KIT CHRISTOPHER KAMIEN (Age 55)
On Sunday, February 18, 2007, passed away from complications from Multiple Sclerosis. Survived by his wife, Mary Kamien; mother Patricia McCarthy; two sisters, Michelle Maloney of Blairsville, GA, Shelley Jones of Sykesville, MD and many loving friends. A memorial service will be held on March 9, 2007, at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr., Rockville, MD 20850.
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Memories and Condolences
for Kit Kamien
5 Entries
Michael Singer
March 11, 2007
Mary, thank you for a beautiful memorial service. The music and the talks brought back so many memories, I don't know where to start.
From the time that I met Kit, when he asked to play a Vivaldi guitar concerto with the student orchestra at Newport Jr. High School, through our senior year at Einstein High School, he was an instant friend and musical connection -- my most musically satisfying experiences were when it was just the two of us playing guitars together for joy in my basement. I've been playing professionally and semi-professionally ever since then, and I now realize that a large part of what I do when I play -- the zone I try to get into, to play well -- is an attempt to recapture what I had when Kit and I played together.
I never knew what to expect when he called -- once, it was, "Mike! I want you to be in my new nude band, Dangles!" But another time, and what made him my hero, was when he said someone had tried to pick a fight with him, and (instead of trying to fight back or avoid a fight), Kit said to the guy, "Are you brave enough to go to the library with me, sit down and talk?"
Be well, and I'd be honored to be in touch -- I'm at [email protected]
John Keyes
March 9, 2007
Kit was my guitar teacher for a few years around 1980. I always thought he was the coolest guy I had ever met. When I was 17, he went with me out to Falls Church to shop for used guitars. I still have the Gibson L6 he helped me pick out and I do think of him most every time I play it.
Steve Dear
March 9, 2007
Mary: I am so sorry for your loss. I learned the news last night, March 8, 2007, from my friend John whom I had sent Kit's way to be a fellow student long ago.
Kit taught me guitar starting when I was 12 in 1976. He was so much fun, always laughing. I just thought he was the coolest person.
In my high school yearbook at Georgetown Prep I actually had printed "Kit Kamien for President." ("Nukes the Whales" was the slogan -- it was just a silly joke I heard from him once, and it's the opposite of my views.)
In my youth I did not realize what a very special person this man was.
Kit really did teach me more than guitar playing. Completely unselfconsciously, he taught confidence and accepting oneself. He taught courage. I saw that throughout the years I studied with him.
He certainly showed how to approach life with joy and humor and find the best in one's circumstances.
About a decade ago I was in Bethesda and out of the blue I visited him and have a video of it. He was laughing and cracking jokes the whole time and left a message for my friend John.
I have thought of him often.
My teenage son and daughter both play guitar now.
I am going to learn “Frank’s Tune” with my son Patrick and we’ll make a home record of it. But to me it will be “Kit’s Tune.”
God bless you, Kit Kamien. Thank you for the life.
Jeffrey Aaron
March 5, 2007
Oh Mary,
Kit was such a joy to be with. I computer tutored him about 7 years ago, and got a big kick out of Tubaligation Jones.
Lisa Shea
March 2, 2007
Mary: I was so sorry to hear about Kit. You may remember I photographed Kit (and you!) at home a few years ago and put together the photo inserts for the promotional cassette preceding the CD release. My e-mail address changed and I dropped the business phone - I hadn't heard from Kit for a couple of years (when I provided more copies of the pix to someone putting something together for him.) I hope you still have the one I did of the 2 of you. I'm going to try to make it to the service. I'm listening to his music as I write this. You may remember i was a widow; if you need anything, please call. Thinking of you. You can reach me at 301-681-3873night or 202-399-8590x306 day.
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