James Roger Kennedy

Madison -- James ""Jim"" Roger Kennedy, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 22, 2009 , at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center , Fitchburg , WI after a long and courageous battle with emphysema and esophageal cancer.   He was born in Monroe , Wisconsin to Howard and Blanche (Young) Kennedy on June 21, 19 40 .   He spent his childhood with his family in Monticello , Wisconsin .   Jim married Kristine Hansen Kennedy on October 17, 19 64 , and they shared forty-four years together traveling to Indonesia and the Far East , an annual Bayfield , Wisconsin trip, enjoyed travel, music, art and architecture, an assortment of terriers over the years, and enjoyed the peacefulness of their neighborhood and home in Madison .   Jim was an architect receiving his education at the University of Illinois , and worked for several architectural firms in the Madison area before joining the planning staff at UW-Madison Campus in 1972.   In 1989 he was invited to serve the University of Wisconsin System Administration as Director, Bureau of Architectural/Engineering Services.   He retired in January 2001.   During his career, Jim also served as a Campus Planning Consultant to the US Agency for International Development, the World Bank, the Asian Bank, and designing a new university campus and programming several university buildings for the Indonesian Government at Bogor , Indonesia .   He was a member of the American Institute of Architects from which he received a ""Citation for Distinguished Service for Shaping UW System Campuses & Enhancing Wisconsin's Built Environment"".   Jim is remembered by his family and friends as a kind, creative, compassionate person with Irish wit and humor.   The compelling attribute of Jim's was his ""quiet strength"" present through his support, guidance and when encountering life's hurdles.   Jim was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and enjoyed continuous sobriety for more than 33 years.   Over the years Jim shared his gratitude, experience, strength and hopes, - helping many others to achieve sobriety.   He will leave a great void in all our lives, but has left us with many precious memories to cherish.   Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kristine ""Kris"" his true companion and best friend; two sisters-in law, Thea (Albert) Brandt, Lockport, NY and Gloria (Robert) Wheeler, Beaver Dam, WI; Aunt Florence Kennedy, Madison, WI; a special adopted daughter, Kristine (Rick) Thompson of Minneapolis, MN, and cousins, nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Doris Jean Kennedy.   A celebration of Jim's Life will be held at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg sometime in the future.   There will be a Private Family Burial.   The family extends deep and heart felt thanks to the HospiceCare team and staff for the care and support they provided to Jim and his family.   Thanks are also extended to Dr. Noelle LoConte and Kathy Rothering RN, OCN , Oncology; Dr. Norman Jensen and Jenn Garcia, Internal Medicine; Dr. Keith Meyers and Michaelene Jansen, NP, Pulmonary Medicine; Dr. Mark Reichelderfer, GI; Dr. Mark Ritter, Radiology; Dr. Lou Marchand, Family Medicine; and Deb Corrandini, Pulmonary Rehab Program.   Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial in Jim's name to Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway , Madison , WI 53711 ; or UW-Madison Paul Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center , GI Cancer Research Fund, 600 Highland Avenue , Madison , WI 53792   ""God grant me the serenity to accept the thing I cannot chance, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.""