Kevin Kearns

Kevin Rhett Kearns, 75, of Delray Beach, Florida and Annapolis, Maryland passed away on April 29, 2023. He was born on February 12, 1948, son of Francis and Geraldine Kearns in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Kevin was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Kearns, mother Geraldine, and father Francis. He is survived by his daughter Courtney, son Lance (Lisa), grandchildren Ethan and Emma, brother Terrance (Jean), niece Gwendolyn, and nephew Sean.

By the age of 15 Kevin had earned Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank: Eagle Scout. In 1963 Kevin enrolled in a special aquatic training camp at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation, Harford County, Maryland. As a result of his excellent performance, he was hired and taught swimming, rowing, canoeing, and lifesaving skills to countless young Scouts as a lifeguard/instructor during the 8 week summer camping seasons of 1964 through 1969. Starting in 1965 he was selected to be part of the 4-man staff of the same special aquatic training camp he attended in 1963. He held the highest certifications in aquatics offered by the YMCA, American Red Cross and Boy Scouts of America. During the winters he continued to expand his aquatic skills to include scuba diving and the use of the paddle board. He joined and served on the Edgemere, Maryland Volunteer Fire Department rescue and recovery dive team. His work at Broad Creek Scout Reservation set the stage for what later became his life’s passion: teaching and mentoring kids — only this time it was in the demanding sport of collegiate and Greco-Roman wrestling.

Kevin graduated from Mount St. Joseph's High School in Baltimore Maryland in 1966 with varsity letters in 4 sports: Football, Wrestling, Track and Field, and Cross Country.

Kevin started college at the University of Maryland, College Park as a student in 1966. In 1970, while captain of the wrestling team, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served with the 101st Airborne Division in a special operation unit known as the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team in Vietnam in 1971 and 1972. Upon his completion of military service, he returned to The University of Maryland where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Physical Education.

While at University of Maryland, Kevin met the love of his life Nancy Valliant Vuicich. They married in 1973.

After graduation from the University of Maryland, Kevin moved to Minnesota to train as an alternate for the United States Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling team and compete on the US World Team. In 1976 he was named Head Wrestling Coach for Delaney High School. Then in 1977, he accepted the position as Head Wrestling Coach at John Hopkins University.

Kevin became a father in 1979 with the birth of his son Lance and then again in 1981 with the birth of his daughter Courtney.

Kevin returned to The University of Maryland as an assistant wrestling coach in 1980. Over the next 43 years, he served as an assistant coach, administrator, and historian for the program. During this time, he was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater,

Oklahoma (2013), the Mount St. Joseph’s Wrestling Hall of Fame (2019) and was presented with the University of Maryland's Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award (2021).

Kevin, and his wife Nancy, purchased a second home in Delray Beach, Florida in 2011. Kevin, also known as "Coach K", enjoyed sunrises and conversations with his second team, The Delray Beach Lifeguards. When they were in Florida, Kevin and Nancy were able to spend time relaxing and would renew their vows on Delray Beach 40 years after their wedding. They were married 49 years, before her passing in November 2022. Kevin passed peacefully on Saturday, April 29th.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the DMV Regional Training Center. This program helps wrestlers train at the next level to be able to compete on the world stage. https://dmvrtc.totalcamps.com/shop/product/16470

The Funeral Mass for Kevin will be held at the Catholic Student Center, 4141 Guilford Drive, College Park, MD 20740 on Saturday, May 20th at 1:00pm. A Celebration of Life reception will take place from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Heritage Hall located in the Xfinity Center, 8500 Paint Branch Dr, College Park, MD 20740. Those planning on attending the Funeral Mass or Celebration of Life, please see the attached link for more details. https://forms.gle/eD6EL9Gi1doND2C39