Manert H. Kennedy, of Boulder, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024 in Oakland, California. Manert was born March 3, 1930 in Wyandotte, Michigan to Joseph Kennedy and Alvina Lange.
Manert grew up in Michigan and after high school, served in the United States Marine Corp including combat duty as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant with the First Marine Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.
After his military service, he attended Butler University and Ohio State University, receiving a MS and Honorary PhD in Education. He taught science and coached football in secondary schools in the Detroit area for ten years.
He and his wife Grace moved their family to Boulder in 1965 to participate in the development of the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS). BSCS was the largest of the post-Sputnik science education reform efforts in the United States. He served as the Associate Director and Vice President of the BSCS at the University of Colorado for seventeen years. He founded and organized several national programs while at the University including The National Center for Human and Medical Genetics Education.
Throughout his life, Manert had a variety of experiences in teaching, research, administration, and international education. He inspired his children, grandchildren, and students to pursue science and life-long learning. He took his children and grandchildren along with him when he traveled both domestically and internationally.
While at the University of Colorado, Manert was the Founder of the Colorado Alliance for Science. He received the Second Annual McKee Award at the November 1988 National Symposium on Partnerships in Education, the highest honor awarded by The White House for leadership in public/private partnership development.
Manert made 25 return visits to Korea, as a consultant to several universities. He has served as a Visiting Professor at both Seoul National University and at Korea University.
Manert and Grace retired to Del Norte, in the San Luis Valley in 1990. During his retirement, he served on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Colorado State Veterans Living Center in Homelake. He was a life member of the 1st Marine Division Association, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Disabled American Veterans. He was active as a member of the Chosin Few and served on the Board of Directors of the national organization.
Manert is survived by his children, Colleen (Tom) Rutledge, Kathie Kennedy, Patrick (Stephanie) Kennedy, Tricia (Ray) Hunter, Mary-Jo Kennedy, Mike (Julie) Kennedy, Bobby (LaShonda) Kennedy, his 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Karen, wife Grace and his daughter Debbie.
A graveside service will be held at Green Mountain Cemetery, 290 20th Street, Boulder, on April 9, 2024 at 11:00 am. Donations to Manert’s memory can be made to The Disabled American Veterans.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Manert Kennedy, please visit our flower store.
Manert grew up in Michigan and after high school, served in the United States Marine Corp including combat duty as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant with the First Marine Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.
After his military service, he attended Butler University and Ohio State University, receiving a MS and Honorary PhD in Education. He taught science and coached football in secondary schools in the Detroit area for ten years.
He and his wife Grace moved their family to Boulder in 1965 to participate in the development of the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS). BSCS was the largest of the post-Sputnik science education reform efforts in the United States. He served as the Associate Director and Vice President of the BSCS at the University of Colorado for seventeen years. He founded and organized several national programs while at the University including The National Center for Human and Medical Genetics Education.
Throughout his life, Manert had a variety of experiences in teaching, research, administration, and international education. He inspired his children, grandchildren, and students to pursue science and life-long learning. He took his children and grandchildren along with him when he traveled both domestically and internationally.
While at the University of Colorado, Manert was the Founder of the Colorado Alliance for Science. He received the Second Annual McKee Award at the November 1988 National Symposium on Partnerships in Education, the highest honor awarded by The White House for leadership in public/private partnership development.
Manert made 25 return visits to Korea, as a consultant to several universities. He has served as a Visiting Professor at both Seoul National University and at Korea University.
Manert and Grace retired to Del Norte, in the San Luis Valley in 1990. During his retirement, he served on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Colorado State Veterans Living Center in Homelake. He was a life member of the 1st Marine Division Association, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Disabled American Veterans. He was active as a member of the Chosin Few and served on the Board of Directors of the national organization.
Manert is survived by his children, Colleen (Tom) Rutledge, Kathie Kennedy, Patrick (Stephanie) Kennedy, Tricia (Ray) Hunter, Mary-Jo Kennedy, Mike (Julie) Kennedy, Bobby (LaShonda) Kennedy, his 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Karen, wife Grace and his daughter Debbie.
A graveside service will be held at Green Mountain Cemetery, 290 20th Street, Boulder, on April 9, 2024 at 11:00 am. Donations to Manert’s memory can be made to The Disabled American Veterans.
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