Edmund P. Kenar

Lifelong East Chicago resident Edmund Peter Kenar, son of Edmund F. Kenar and Frances Zajac Kenar, slipped away from us October 20, 2019. He was the beloved brother of Beatrice (Kenar) Van Liew and Paula Kenar, brother-in-law of Buzz Patterson his roommate, uncle of Johanna (Alex) Van Liew Webb, great uncle of Madeleine Webb, and beloved cousin of many. He was also a beloved member of the Stanley Bzdzich family which was his adopted family.

The Kenar Compound will miss him. Edmund was one of those core people who quietly went about his life’s work. He was devoted to the care of his family, especially his mother. He was passionate about teaching and his students and poured himself into every course and class. He loved working with his students and colleagues.

He carried his burdens with stoic grace and dignity and maintained the family property, built by his grandfather, with skill.

Edmund was a devout member of the Carmelite Monastery and took comfort and solace in his community of fellow members there. He was a true Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of St. Stanislaus School, Bishop Noll Institute, and Fairfield University, and attended Notre Dame University, and St. Louis University.

He taught philosophy and ethics at Indiana University Northwest. During his life he had been on the St. Stanislaus Church council; the church his grandfather was a founding member and builder of in the early 1900s. At BNI he was Student Council vice president of the class of 1969 and was active in many other activities throughout his time there.

His quiet strength and humor leave a hole. He embodied the grace of a true gentleman. Men like him are rare. But the Southside EC squirrels will be relieved that no more of them will find themselves relocated to Gibson Woods.