Chris Kendall was born on June 21, 1941 in Gardner,
MA. Chris passed from time into eternity on March 1, 2004 in Fresno,
CA. Chris had been diagnosed with Mesothelioma in July 2003. He
died peacefully of complications caused by the cancer. Chris is
survived by his wife MarDell, daughters Lori and Bonnie, grandchildren
Kendall and Raquel, and brothers Don and Chuck.
Chris was a loving, kind and patient husband, father, friend,
employer and colleague. He was always cheerful and positive in
the face of any challenge, personal or professional. His grandson
Kendall knew him as the “funniest grandpa ever.”
Many will write to extol Chris’s many technical accomplishments,
his reputation as a world leader in Electromagnetic Compatibility
(EMC) and their fond recollections of working with him throughout
the years. His reputation in the industry is without parallel
for sure. Chris built a business on the basis of the fact that
he could “fix stuff”. He was really good at creating
practical solutions to EMC problems and shared his knowledge and
expertise with whomever he could and without reservation.
What I prefer to reflect on is Chris Kendall, the man, my very
good (best) friend that I first met in 1967 while he was working
at Litton Industries.
The first thing that will catch anyone’s attention about
Chris was his smile and his laugh. Both were unmistakable. The
laugh could be heard throughout a building without benefit of
a PA system. Chris’s warmth immediately penetrated all who
came in contact with him. You always felt as if you were a part
of the family after meeting Chris.
Chris hired me (actually rescued me) from a dead end job that
caused me to come to Genisco for an EMI test on a television transmitter
I was working on. I had been working 80-hour weeks and when I
got to Genisco for the test, I got to rest and watch him work.
I asked him how somebody could get a job like that and he asked
me if I wanted to go to work for him. That was the real beginning
of our friendship, which has carried me forward into my own consulting
business with his encouragement along the way. We all referred
to him as the “chief” during the Genisco days.
Since those days in the early 70’s, he taught me some very
important things about life. One of them was to check the dessert
menu first when dining out.
We often used to tease each other about our respective “profiles
of prosperity” which he stated was a requirement for any
successful consultant. Chris would always look over the desserts
on a menu prior to deciding what he was going to have for the
main course. That philosophy was a peek into his priorities, not
only with respect to dining but also with respect to the way he
lived his all too short life. Focus on the good things in life;
find the good in people and have an optimistic view of every situation.
He did all of that and more with gusto. I have seen Chris in action
in very difficult circumstances that would cause many a weaker
soul to give up. Not Chris, he would always face every situation
with unequivocal calm, and a reassuring smile and somehow we all
knew that things were going to be OK.
The “chief” may have gone on to his reward but his legacy
remains solid here amongst those he leaves behind.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him two weeks
prior to his passing. He was active and alert as usual. It can
be truly said that he lived every single day.
These are my reflections on the short but great life of Chris
Kendall. I miss him terribly. I know however that he wants his
legacy to live on through his wonderful family, CKC Labs, and
all who knew him. That will be the case for me, and I am proud
to participate in that legacy. EMC
Mr. Kendall’s 41 years of professional experience
included EMC work on Military, Avionics and Commercial
electronics. He did extensive EMC design on the heads-up
displays and other systems for the A-6, A-10, F-111, F-14,
F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, Apache Helicopter, and Comanche
Helicopter. Mr. Kendall was an ANSI C63 Subcommittee member,
an ANSI medical standards committee member, an EMC consultant
to HIMA, an SAE AE-4R Sub-committee chair, a NARTE Senior
EMC Engineer and an IEEE EMC Society Distinguished Lecturer.
Chris held a BS degree in Physics from California State
University at Northridge. He and his wife MarDell founded
CKC in 1973 to provide EMC design consultation and testing
services. He was the Principal Consultant and CEO of CKC
Laboratories, Inc.
Chris will be missed greatly by his family, friends, employees
and colleagues.
For those interested, in lieu of flowers the family would
appreciate contributions to the National Mesothelioma
Fund, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple TX 76508 Attn: Dr.
Smythe. Checks should reference “Chris Kendall Memorial:
Research Only.”
Please share any special thoughts and memories that you
have of Chris by sending an E-mail to his family at InMemoryOfChris@ckc.com
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