Douglas Kendall

Douglas Kendall, a well loved and highly respected family man, athlete, scientist and community member, died on Monday, July 23, 2012 at the age of 68 in Boulder, Colorado, where he had lived since 1974. The cause was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Born on March 29, 1944, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to David and Ruth Kendall, Doug is survived by his wife, Barbara; his son, Sean; daughter-in-law, Patricia; and granddaughter, Elsa; all of Boulder; his sister, Katherine Kendall, of New Jersey; and his brother, Bert Kendall, of Maine.

Throughout his life, Doug excelled in academics, earning an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1966, and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard in 1972.

A retired chemist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the National Enforcement Investigation Center, Doug received numerous awards including the highest scientific honor given by the EPA, the Level 1 Scientific Technology Achievement Award, for his paper “Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure and Iron Treatment of Brass Foundry Waste” in 2004. He retired last December after a 30-year career with the EPA.

Doug was a dedicated Democrat. It was through this association that he made many lifelong friends who shared his love of travel and the outdoors. He was an ardent supporter of environmental causes, which led him to become involved in numerous local conservation issues.

Running, skiing, cycling, hiking and travel were all activities that Doug enjoyed. He was a regular and competitive participant in the annual Bolder Boulder race, often placing in the top three for his age group.

His mother’s playing of Gilbert and Sullivan on their family piano inspired a love of music, most notably the blues. Doug played the clarinet for many years, from childhood through high school, and he attended Bands on the Bricks in Boulder two consecutive weeks just before his death.

Doug was well known for his kind and gentle nature, and his willingness to laugh, all of which he maintained with grace as he endured the brutal effects of ALS. In death, he is accompanied by a vast amount of love and respect, and remembered as one who has lived a full and meaningful life.

Donations can be made to Boulder County Open Space at http://preservebouldercounty.org/You_Can_Help.html, or mailed to P.O. Box 227, Hygiene, CO 80533.

A memorial service and reception will be held Saturday, July 28, at 2:30 p.m. at Community United Church of Christ, 2650 Table Mesa Drive in Boulder.

Crist Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. To leave a remembrance, please visit www.cristmortuary.com