Kevin John Kern

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Kevin John Kern, who passed away on July 14, 2026 at the age of 62 at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Kevin was born on January 24, 1964 in Harrisburg, the beloved son of Shirley and Herbert "Herbie" Kern. 

Kevin grew up in New Cumberland, a proud son of the West Shore who (like his dad) had an encyclopedic knowledge of local geography and who (also like his dad), held the GPS in justly proud disdain. He knew his native soil like the back of his hand – not just driving but walking much of it, and returning again and again to the places he specially loved, like the Yellow Breeches spillway at New Cumberland’s Borough Park (which his sons affectionally rechristened “Goose Poop” Park) and Wildwood Park. An avid hiker, Kevin was also a long-distance walker in support of worthy causes, notably breast-cancer research. A proud graduate of Cedar Cliff High School (class of ’82), young Kevin was also a pillar of Grace United Methodist Church’s men’s softball team, where he and his Kern cousins anchored both the infield and outfield.

Blessed with a super-fast analytical mind, Kevin was a jack of all trades, respected by his coworkers and famous for his ability to fix anything (including long distance toilets and faucets, which he miraculously fixed using smart phone technologies, coaching the mechanically inept with texts, photos, and verbal encouragement). Kevin learned to set tile from his dad, and at Lezzer Truss Systems in York he was renowned for his technical skill in hand-cutting particularly expensive lumber. He cut his teeth working in facilities in health care institutions, and for several years joined his mother on the staff of the Mechanicsburg Rehab Hospital (now Encompass Health) where he was lovingly remembered many years after moving on to other jobs.

Kevin was a lover of the natural world – a cultivator of gardens and an admirer of birds. For many years his feeders on Oak Lane have been a haven for nuthatches, chickadees, cardinals, blue jays, titmice, and flickers. He was no less a lover of the progressive rock of the ‘70s and ‘80s, which he listened to from a set of 5-foot-tall speakers that revealed hitherto unknown intricacies of the textured productions of Yes and Steely Dan. Fiercely loyal to his teams, Kevin was an ardent fan of Penn State Football, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Orioles, and Duke Basketball (despite the fact that his sister was employed by the University of Kentucky). When his sister and brother-in-law moved to the University of Miami in 2022, Kevin could not forgive them, owing to the historic rivalry between Penn State and The U in the Fiesta Bowl of 1987 (which, it should be remembered, Penn State won).

Kevin was sharp as a tack, quickly discerning and quick to laugh, a great conversationalist and a man who achieved deep self-knowledge. His life turned a corner when, bolstered by the support of a dynamic community at “16th and Bridge,” he willed himself into sobriety—ninety meetings in ninety days--a pursuit that brought spiritual growth, hard-won wisdom, and new friends. His body was strong, but his mind became even stronger. This was never more apparent than in his final months, when, his mortal frame fatally weakened by pancreatic cancer, he met his enormous physical pain and mental discomfort with the same fierce effort of will and spirit of independence that were among his salient traits in healthier days. Before he himself became ill, Kevin marshalled these qualities to provide outstanding care to his dad. The nonagenarian Herbie was able to remain in the safe harbor of his house almost to the very end (a mere six months ago) because Kevin took such remarkably good care of him.

Kevin is preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Jean Kern, as well as his father, Herbie. He is survived by his sister Kathi Kern (Phil Harling) of Miami; by Kevin’s former wife, Donna Kern of Manchester; by his children and stepchildren: Kaitlin Kirkessner (Cody) of Dover, and Jamie Kern and Jacob Kern of Manchester; and by his grand-daughter Adalynn.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25 at 11:00am at Grace United Methodist Church (309 Herman Avenue, Lemoyne, PA) followed by a lunch.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Friends of Wildwood or to the Penn State Cancer Institute’s Anne Marie Jallon Memorial Fund for Palliative Care Patient Support.

Photo credit: Amy Spangler