Kevin Querry

"Keep your feet planted, grab the handle like this, and stand over your work."

That's how my dad taught me to sweep the sawdust from his garage floor when I was ten years old. It's that last part that always stayed with me: "Stand over your work." Sure, he was talking about the pile of dust and dirt, but it was more than that; it was how he handled everything he was tasked with in life.

Kevin was many things: A son, a brother, an Eagle Scout, a Purdue graduate, pharmacist, a tinkerer, a handyman, a problem-solver, a purveyor of the finest dad jokes, a frequent watcher of bad television and dated movies--but above all, he was a dad.

Like most dads, he could be complicated or secretive about things he thought might burden others or cause them to worry. He was never one to complain (unless it was about telemarketers, the cable bill, getting the wrong order from the fast-food drive-thru, using a computer, uncomfortable shoes, junk mail, getting groceries...) Instead, he stood over his work and did his best to see it through by himself.

Kevin was a dad to the fullest extent. He possessed the biggest, kindest heart, and had one of the squirrelliest senses of humor you'd ever find. I've learned recently that those who worked with him called him "Papa Smurf," and he lovingly referred to them as his "minions."

Kevin passed away Sunday, June 11th due to heart complications and stubbornness. (He'd agree with me on that.) He is survived by his parents, Ralph and Barbara Querry, brother Mark Querry, sister Janice McNab, twin brother Kent Querry, and his two children Allison and Spenser Querry.

At just 63 years old, he left us too soon--but I'm sure if he could, he'd look back, stand over his work with a smile on his face, and say, "Cool."

Kevin Querry, 07/03/1953 - 06/11/17