Curtis C. Kennedy

Curt died April 9, 2024, from Keytruda-induced Encephalopathy. He was born December 23, 1947, in Colorado Springs to Charles N. Kennedy and Mary E. Kennedy. Curt and his family were avid outdoorsmen, and he therefore chose to attend Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO, where he was able to continue doing the things he enjoyed in a beautiful mountain setting. Curt graduated with a degree in accounting in 1969 and went to work for Arthur Andersen LLP in Denver until 1976. He then moved to Salt Lake City, UT, to work for Northwest Pipeline Corporation (subsequently The Williams Companies) where he met the love of his life, Lynne, and they were married in 1981. When he retired in 1999, he was Chief Accounting Officer for Northwest Pipeline and Kern River Gas Transmission.

Always industrious, Curt attained his Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm. He was a consummate professional, articulate, talented, thoughtful and a humble man. Curt exemplified the type of person we should strive to be.

Curt retired to pursue his passion for snowmobiling (volunteering time to support multiple use of public lands), hiking, skiing, RVing, fishing, and hunting. For the past 24 years, a high point of Curt’s year was his annual Flaming Gorge fishing trip with his dad and brother to celebrate his dad’s birthday. His more than 20 years of elk and pheasant hunting were some of his greatest pleasures. He was utterly unattached to the outside world as he listened to the exquisiteness of nothingness, allowing himself to be absorbed into the landscape. These moments comprised extraordinary days. He returned to Salt Lake with his soul refreshed, ready to welcome winter.

From snowmobiling 2,000+ miles a year to hiking an average of 700 miles a year, Curt and Lynne shared some of the most personally rewarding experiences of their lives. Curt became enamored with traditional bluegrass music and went to many outdoor music festivals throughout the west. He was particularly fond of the Utah and Idaho artists! His support of live music will continue, despite his passing.
Curt honed his woodworking skills by completing the interior finish work of their beloved log cabin near Oakley, UT. Nearly every weekend of their corporate life was savored at the cabin. While it was a respite, Curt made time to serve 33 years on the Board of Pine Mountains Water and Management, Inc.

It’s an understatement to say Curt was an avid snowmobiler for over 30 years. He immersed himself in the Utah Snowmobile Association (USA), holding positions of President, VP, Secretary/Treasurer, and Snow Scoop Editor. He achieved the honor of USA’s Snowmobiler of the Year 2003-2004. His time as Director of Public Lands for USA was near and dear to his heart. In 2018, Curt was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame for his lifetime of service to the sport. He served on the Board of the Utah Avalanche Center for 8 years and was instrumental in helping to create the Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Program.

His last place of residence was in Emigration Canyon, serving 23 years as Treasurer/Secretary for Emigration Place Owner’s Association.

His one liners, wickedly sharp sense of humor, kindness, wisdom and sage advice will be sorely missed. Family members are saddened by the loss of a remarkable son, brother and husband.

Curt is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lynne, father Charles “Buck,” brother Doug, and sister Cindy Crosman (Rick). He is preceded in death by his brother, Michael and mother, Mary.

A celebration of Curt’s life will be held Monday, April 22 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City from 6 to 8 pm. A private graveside service will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The services and tribute pictures will be available to view on this page soon.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to either the Utah Snowmobile Association, Utah Avalanche Center, or the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF).

What an amazing journey we’ve shared. You have climbed the ultimate summit, Curt. I await the day I can follow the same path and we’ll be together again. Your sweetheart always.