On Monday evening, December 15th, just a few days after his 47th birthday, Kent Kaase lost his short, hard fought battle with cancer. Today goes on record as the first time in history that more than three members of our consulting practice arrived anywhere on time. A dozen or so of us all arrived on time to pay our respects to our colleague, the father of two beautiful young children, and the youngest sibling of a close, loving family.
Kent was a maverick, with a childlike realm of possibilities. Kent had big ideas and big plans, not just for himself, but for everyone he knew. He wanted to help people, and he wanted to be a friend to anyone in need of a friend. In a world where people build themselves up by being private and exclusive, Kent was open, kind and welcoming of everyone. In his own words, Kent described himself perfectly on his Facebook page:
“Kent here.
I am 6’7 as everyone asks, but I am very proportionate and athletic so I can move with a bit of stealth and grace. Music and concerts are a must and it is always great to dance. Life is an adventure so have some fun. Say hi, stop by, or just check out the page, but NEVER hesitate to show up (as you will always be welcome).”
In my last visit with Kent, he comforted me. He told me not worry about him. He was strong and brave. He planned to beat cancer, but he wasn’t afraid of losing. He embraced the life that he had lived, and he told me that he is one of the most blessed people that he knows. I have no doubt that Kent is smiling down on us from Heaven tonight. He is no longer in pain, and he is free of our worldly worries. Still, I feel very sad. I wish I had one more conversation, one more laugh. One more chance to thank him for getting me the best job that I have ever had in my life, and a chance to say that I am sorry for the days we disagreed.
This afternoon, as we sat waiting for the funeral services to begin, I thought back to this time last year. Kent and I were working on some type of Power Point presentation together, and he was busy on his computer booking a trip to Paris for New Year’s, which was less than two weeks away. It seemed crazy to me that he was headed to Paris on a whim. Today, I realize that was his last time to celebrate the ringing in of a new year. It makes me happy that he did so with such grander. That’s the way Kent lived his whole life.
~ Kent – You inspire me to be less afraid of what everyone thinks and seize the day. As you say, life is an adventure. I am not headed to Paris on a whim anytime soon, but I promise to lighten up and have some fun. I am going to miss you. ~