Kenneth J. Kinslow, Sr.

Kenneth J. Kinslow, 76, of South Bend, Indiana passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. He was born on November 19, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Benjamin and Laura (Podlinski) Kinslow. On August 31, 1968 he married Carmela Mastantuono. They moved to South Bend, Indiana where Ken began his studies in the doctoral program at Notre Dame.  Their only son, Kenny, was born in 1970.  Ken’s studies were interrupted by military service from 1970 to 1973.  He was trained as a Russian Linguist. During this time, he and his family lived in Monterey, California, San Angelo, Texas and Berlin, Germany.

After military service Ken and his family returned to South Bend to resume his doctoral studies. He was awarded his PhD degree in August 1978.

Ken taught American Literature both at Notre Dame and the University of New Orleans.

Ken also taught English as a second language at the Northwest Telecommunications in Xi An China.

Upon returning from China, he pursued a degree in Library Science and worked in both the Law Library and Hesburgh Library.  Ken retired in 2017.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Ken was an avid reader not only of American Literature but also Russian Literature.

He was a devoted sports fan of both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies.  His could easily recall players, plays and statistics.

He is most remembered by our neighbors by the encounters he had while walking his much beloved Labrador Retrievers, Pasha, Chloe and Hannah. In the days following his passing comforting words like, loving, kind, generous with his time, his warm welcoming smile will sustain us.

One friend wrote that Ken was the “Epitome of professionalism. Friendly, cheerful always, quick to tell a story or joke, and I am 100% certain you cannot find a single person with a bad word to say about him. He was pure class.

If he ever had a bad day, I’ve never seen it. I doubt if anyone has.”

He was also preceded in death by one sister Rita Nogowski, one brother-in-law, Joseph “Bucky” Nogowski and one sister-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Mastantuono.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at The Sacred Heart Parish Center, 100 Sacred Heart Parish Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am in the Parish Center Chapel. Private family burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Kenneth’s honor. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com

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