[Summit] Our friend, Kerry Kohring

[Ethan Gyles]

http://www.sna.providence.ri.us/our-friend-kerry-kohring/

A message from all of us at the Summit Neighborhood Association:

On Sunday, we lost a dear friend. Kerry Kohring, a longtime Summit resident
and vice president of the Summit Neighborhood Association, passed away.

We wish to share some reflections on Kerry, and the special person he was.

“Kerry was a thoughtful, wise, and cheerful man who I am thankful I had the
opportunity to know. He was quietly, yet unshakably reliable; he helped
carry our organization. He cared for us. He was a humble leader, manager,
doer, worker, and friend. Our little corner of Providence has so much to
show for his efforts. If only there were more like him in our world, we’d
all be better for it.”

“I knew Kerry as a kind person and friend.  He was easy and enjoyable to
work with on SNA projects.  Kerry cared so much for the neighborhood, not
only as Vice President of the SNA Board but also as a regular neighbor.  (I
will miss him terribly).”

“Kerry was always so thoughtful and sweet, as well as being an invaluable
SNA Board Member. We are so, so sad for his loss, and our hearts go out to
Sandy.”

“Kerry worked behind the scenes, without a desire for recognition, as well
as provided a diplomatic, calm, and reasonable voice at meetings.”

“I loved having the opportunity to sit with Kerry at the SNA table at
events, as he always made the conversation interesting he made me feel
happy in my interactions with him. He had an uplifting energy to him.  I
always appreciated how loving he was when he talked about his wife, Sandy;
it was obvious how much they enjoyed one another, and how lucky they both
are to have one another.”

“Kerry had a magical way of putting people at ease. I could feel it in
myself and see it in his interactions with others.”

“I’m not sure what to say other than they really broke the mold with
Kerry.  He was a servant leader, always the first to volunteer for the
heavy lifting part of the job.  He was more comfortable behind the scenes
and behind the camera lens, rather than taking any of the spotlight or
credit for himself. Every single time I’ve recognized him from the podium,
I scan the room to point him out and he’s in the back somewhere taking
photos, manning the SNA membership table, or not in sight because he’s off
managing some task to keep the event on the rails.  He was the quiet
production workhorse behind every event.”

“In meetings he provided fair and diplomatic feedback.  He was
well-balanced and reasonable always.  He always spoke from the kindness in
his heart, and he always had the best interest of the community in mind
when he spoke.”

“As a friend, he was easy to talk with.  One of those people you wanted to
chat with for a long time.  He didn’t judge, and he had interesting
perspective.  I never wanted to reach the end of a conversation with him.
He had a way of making you feel good in your interactions.”

“This is a monumental loss for the organization, the community, and for
anyone lucky enough to have had a personal relationship with him.”

The SNA invites all neighbors to participate in our Caroling for a Cause
event on December 17th. Kerry was the creator and champion of this event,
and we’ll carry it on in his honor, with all the cheer we can muster.

We also note that the Providence Newspaper Guild, another organization
Kerry cared deeply for, has shared their memoriam of him at
*http://www.riguild.org/2017/12/kerry-kohrings-passing-is-a-great-loss-to-us-all
<http://www.riguild.org/2017/12/kerry-kohrings-passing-is-a-great-loss-to-us-all>*

Kerry’s wife, Sandy, has asked that in lieu of flowers, friends consider
making a donation to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart
Association. Public services have not been scheduled at this time; the
family will hold a small private ceremony.
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