Kevin H. Kirwin

Kevin Herschede Kirwin, 70, died on February 13, 2025 at Monterey Health and Rehabilitation. Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Jack Kirwin. He is survived by his mother, Mary Frances Kirwin, siblings Tom and Meg of Columbus OH, and Beth (Anne Gilson) of Richmond, VA. Also, uncle, Spike Herschede, aunt, Erika Kirwin, and numerous cousins. Kevin was born and raised in Columbus, OH, the oldest of four siblings. He was a 1972 graduate of Upper Arlington High School and a 1976 graduate of the University of Cincinnati where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Kevin’s bright smile and infectious laugh made him hard to miss and easy to love. He was very social, had many friends and knew how to throw a party! To his family, Kevin was a fun and loving son, brother and cousin. He loved to help people. He was outgoing, kind, generous and loyal. Vocal music was a huge part of Kevin’s life. He had a beautiful tenor voice. He was a founding member of the vocal group “Antiphony” at UAHS. He sang in choirs and musical productions and at friend’s weddings. Kevin was a talented singer, dancer and an accomplished pianist. Kevin’s love of all things in the Arts was apparent by his board participation. His love for Columbus fixtures such as Ballet Met, the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Museum of Art (and the young people’s support group “Junior Council”) and Opera Columbus was impossible to miss. He also loved what’s now Columbus Jazz Arts Group. Kevin was part of Vaud-Villities which provided him with more opportunities to sing, dance, make friends and have fun. He was an ambassador for the Columbus Host Program, where he showcased Columbus to visiting performing artists. Kevin was proud of his hometown. In 1988, he introduced his siblings to Shadowbox Live Theater. The family tradition of attending Holiday Hoopla the day after Thanksgiving continues after 30+ years – long after Kevin was no longer able to attend. After college, Kevin realized that he always wanted to be a realtor. After gaining several years of experience, he was hired at King Thompson. Kevin was thrilled. He had long aspired to work at King Thompson. Kevin received numerous recognitions and awards and as the industry shifted, Kevin eventually moved to Re/Max Premier Choice with Debbie Bower. In 2000, Kevin started to change and in 2007, a MRI showed frontotemporal dementia. He lived the next 18 years in nursing homes. It was a 25-year journey of slowly losing Kevin. We want to thank the staff at Monterey Health and Rehab, and Bella Care Hospice nurses and chaplain for so lovingly caring for Kevin and for being so kind to our family. Thank you to the UAHS Class of ’72 members who wanted to include Kevin in their 50th class reunion by visiting him in the nursing home – knowing that Kevin was nonverbal and that he might not recognize them. And finally, thanks to Edie Rader Blough, class of ’72, for offering so much love and support to Kevin and our family through the years. There will be a Celebration of Life for Kevin on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Rutherford Funeral Home at 515 High Street Worthington, OH 43085. All are welcome and encouraged to share stories, memories and wear colorful clothes. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc. at www.alz.org or Celebrate Life Foundation at Bella Care Hospice at www.bellacarehospice.net

Kevin H. Kirwin

September 19, 1954 - February 13, 2025