Words like unique and eccentric do not begin to convey the essence of Arthur, a person who was simply one of a kind, who passed on to the great unknown on his own terms at the age of 91, on a beautiful sunny afternoon in his home in Isla Vista. Arthur was a fiercely intentional man of informed opinion, and while he was spare with words, the ones he did utter carried weight. He embraced strong feelings toward justice, his actions were quiet, and the impact followed. We will miss his presence most — the one-liners, the inside jokes, the humor that arrived without warning. And in equal measure, his serious, unwavering dedication to social advocacy, to helping those who needed it. He moved between both worlds without contradiction, because for Arthur Edward Kennedy, they were never separate.
For a man of few words, he never failed to get his point across. In fact, he loved to make up new nonsensical words and sure made a lot of silly noises. His wacky, humorous outgoing answering machine messages were priceless. He loved babies and children and could meet them where they were with giggles, hugs, and smiles. Speaking of hugs, he was a connoisseur of the real thing and offered unsolicited advice on whether one’s attempt passed muster.
As an individual, Arthur was honest, highly intelligent, and socially conscious. His actions were thoughtful, intentional, and continue to have long-term impact in the community. Upon Arthur’s passing, members of the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) board moved quickly to draft and agendize a resolution honoring Arthur (see it at tinyurl.com/AKResolution ). It includes the following line: “Arthur Kennedy was known for his quiet ways, with his deadpan expression and expressive eyes speaking volumes about his opinion on any variety of subjects.” The fast action of the IVCSD board speaks volumes about Arthur’s stature among leaders in his beloved Isla Vista.