Kevin DePeugh Obituary

Kevin Keith DePeugh
November 13, 1971 - March 12, 2019
Kevin DePeugh, whose life took him from rural Midwestern beginnings to becoming a chief executive at a multinational finance and insurance company, passed away at his home in Wilton, Connecticut on March 12. He was 47.
Kevin was born in Pekin, Illinois to an auto mechanic father and a stay-at-home mother. In high school, Kevin was a member of the wrestling team and excelled academically. He was recommended for admittance to the Air Force Academy by former Illinois Senator Paul Simon, but instead chose to attend Illinois State University, where he double-majored in Philosophy and Computer Science.
Following graduation, Kevin moved to San Francisco in 1996 during the fledgling days of the "dot.com boom" where he began what would become a remarkable career in Information Technology. Originally happy to land an entry-level phone support position that allowed him to aggressively pay down his student loans (a task he accelerated by living on one meal a day, typically a mid-day burrito), Kevin used his degree in philosophy to explain complex concepts to people in ways they could easily understand, a skill he later credited with paving the way to his successful executive career.
Kevin joined American International Group, Inc. (AIG) in 2015 as their Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Prior to that position, he served as Vice President, Cybersecurity at Kaiser Permanente and as the CISO at McKesson, Inc. Kevin also served as Ambassador to The Executive Women's Forum, an organization that supports the development of emerging female executives in Information Security.
Kevin met Nina Cavallaro in San Francisco in 1999, and the two married in North Carolina in 2001. The DePeughs lived in the Bay Area until 2004 when they moved to Atlanta where their two children, Margot (14) and Wyatt (10), were born. In 2010, the family moved back to the Bay Area before moving to Wilton in 2015.
Throughout his life's many moves and changes, Kevin's deep love of music consistently animated and sustained him. When he wasn't browsing record stores or taking in every live concert he could get to, Kevin would often sit cross-legged on the couch in front of his stereo (always the best system he could afford at the time) joyfully singing along with his favorite lyrics.
The only thing Kevin loved more than music was his family. From sharing family dinners together at home to adventuring far and wide, Kevin was truly at peace spending time with his wife and children. He especially loved taking family trips together and showing his children how wonderfully big and magical the world can be. Since Kevin's diagnosis in 2016, the DePeugh family has traveled throughout Europe and the Caribbean as well as up and down the East Coast making memories that would last a lifetime. They even made it back to California to watch Kevin's beloved San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
In addition to his immediate family, Kevin is survived by his mother Angela Jones and his sister Celeeste Hall. The family is working to fund a small memorial along their local public trail. Donations can be made in memory of Kevin to the Norwalk River Valley Trail (website: nrvt-trail.com/donate; phone #:203-536-5618).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Wilton Bulletin on Mar. 19, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Kevin DePeugh

6 Entries

Cole Thompson

March 26, 2019

I worked for Kevin while he was at Kaiser Permanente. He was a very, very intelligent and perceptive leader and I wish he were still here. I remember in particular one evening he came by (it was rather late) to congratulate me on some work I done recently, and I was both pleased and impressed that he would do that. He was always gently urging us to improve our work, and to be honest, I think his directive there is still with us every day. Godspeed Kevin, we will miss you. But your leadership lives on.

Josh Roth

March 25, 2019

I had the pleasure of working with Kevin and reporting to him directly during his time in the bay area. He was a bright person, a great mentor, and certainly a great conversationalist. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.

Raj

March 24, 2019

Talking to Kevin during the few years I worked for him in the recent past was not only a pleasure but also a learning moment every time. Kevin's words of wisdom and career advice did help me take the next step in my career and for that would remain indebted to him. Kevin will be sorely missed by many for sure!

Stacy Hilst-Wise

March 20, 2019

I grew up with Kevin and we were in Awana together back home at our church. I remember Kevin being really good at memorizing Bible verses and was also good at the athletic part of it in game time. I lost track of what he had been doing, so didn't know about his accomplishments career wise. Kept in touch a bit with his Mom, Angie and found out through her facebook when she had shared his diagnosis back in 2016. We've been praying for him since, and will continue to pray for the family during this time of loss. With love, hugs and prayers, Stacy Hilst-Wise

Steve Abdelmalek

March 19, 2019

I had the pleasure of working and becoming friends with Kevin during his tenure at Kaiser Permanente in the San Francisco Bay area. What was apparent when I met him was that he cared deeply for his family, had a wicked sense of humor, and was a very giving, unselfish person. He was very kind to afford time for me to discuss my career goals although I was not formally in his organization. Kevin will be greatly missed. He made a giant impact to many people who he worked with at KP. My family and I send our condolences, prayers, and best wishes to Kevin's family.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results