Skip Kendall ... ran Kendall Insurance; at 85

DURHAM - Skip Kendall, 85, of Durham, died on March 16, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born to Kennett and Mary Kendall on March 31, 1938 in Rochester. Skip graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1957 and received a BA from Dartmouth College in 1961. After finishing his education, Skip joined his family business, Kendall Insurance, in Rochester, serving as president from 1962-1989. He served on the Board of Loon Mountain in the early days of the mountain and expanded Kendall insurance products to include a program covering 300 ski areas all over the country. After selling the business in 1989, he served as Chair of the New England Region of Willis Corroon from 1989-1999.

Skip devoted time and resources to his community and philanthropic projects throughout his life. He was instrumental in the growth of Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Maine. Over the past 45 years, Skip served Berwick with distinction, first becoming a trustee in 1979 and completing several additional terms, the most recent being two years ago. The Kendall Lower School was named in his honor, and he was awarded Berwick's highest honor, the Founders Medal, in 1996 for his outstanding service. He was an active member of Young Presidents Organization. Other charitable causes he generously supported include the Nature Conservancy, Northeast Passage in Durham, Spaulding Youth Center in Rochester, NH, SCORE, New Hampshire Charitable Fund, Camp Agawam among many others.

Beyond professional pursuits, Skip married the love of his life, Patricia (Patsy) Kendall who survives him. Their romance began in college when they met aboard the SS Independence heading to Europe for a Summer trip. They married in Patsy's hometown of Wilmington, Del. in 1962. Skip is also survived by their three children, Sheldon Lee Kendall, Kennett (Rusty) Russell Kendall III, Stephanie Kendall Jaggars, and 11 grandchildren. Skip was predeceased by parents Kennett and Mary Kendall and siblings, Robert Neal Kendall, and Lee Moore.

Skip was known for his outgoing personality and love of life. He was always ready with a quick joke or word of encouragement for whomever crossed his path. He loved a good party, and he was the life of the party. He enjoyed being there for others and he helped many over the years as an employer, business leader, friend, mentor, parent, and grandparent. Always a New Englander, he spent the winters on the New Hampshire slopes of Loon Mountain and Bretton Woods and the summers on Great Bay and in York Harbor, Maine. Often surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and friends, in his favorite places, he enjoyed traveling the world, boating, playing tennis and skiing. In the last part of his life, he was dedicated to caring for his wife Patsy, staying by her side until his last days. He will be dearly missed by all those who love him.