Richard J. Kennedy

Richard J. Kennedy passed away peacefully surrounded by family in person and in spirit at St. Paul’s Life Plan Community on February 2, 2026. Richard was born July 16, 1944 to his parents Mary Martin Kennedy and Richard Leo Kennedy in Holyoke Massachusetts. He graduated from Holyoke Highschool in 1962 and the University of Notre Dame in 1966. He met Roberta “Bobbie” Kennedy (Ryan) while in high school and they were married June 25, 1966. Richard was the proud and loving father of three children, Roberta A. Milliken (Rick); Richard R. Kennedy; and Patrick M. Kennedy (Jessica). He was known fondly as Grandpa and PopPop to his grandchildren Alexandra Milliken (Tyler); Christopher Milliken (Margaret); Jackson Kennedy; Lily Kathleen Kennedy (Zach); Emma June Kennedy; and Mary Ryan Kennedy, and his great grandchildren William and Thomas Milliken and Juniper Orr. He was also a step-grandfather to Angela, Paula and Amanda Milliken who remember him fondly for “the best hugs”.

Richard was a loving husband, and he adored living in the home that he and Bobbie built together in Waterview Cluster. They spent many an evening sitting on the rock patio under the trees, enjoying engaging conversation about politics, sports and the human condition. Together they actively immersed themselves in the world around them by enjoying nature, attending cultural events and traveling abroad. Richard cherished Bobbie’s memory and made every effort to keep their home perfect in her honor. He missed her dearly after she died in September of 2021, but as a friend said about him, he was “...remarkable in his ability to love their past and then to live in the present with an eye on the future….”

Family was important to Richard. He loved the family tradition of the annual beach week at the Outer Banks where he got to spend a full week with his kids and grandchildren, watching them play in the surf and sand. While his kids were growing up, he was present for all the things and quick with a big hug and words of encouragement. He continued to nurture a special relationship with each of them and their spouses, instilling in them the value of living a Good Life. He always found small moments to make the people he loved, especially his grandchildren, feel special and heard.

Richard dedicated his life to the service of other people. A proud veteran, Richard served in the US Marine Corp as a First Lieutenant from 1967 until 1970, including a tour in Vietnam in 1969. In 1971 he began his 39-year career at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Like so many federal employees he dedicated his life to serving the American people. He retired as the Director of the Block Grant Assistance Program for the country and was responsible for overseeing a program that promoted affordable housing and community economic development. Following his retirement from federal service, he continued to serve his community as the Hunter Mill District Commissioner on the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, from 2009 to 2023. A colleague shared that his breadth of knowledge about and experience with federal community development programs was “invaluable to the entire community and to the professional staff, who saw him as a trusted adviser, a generous mentor, and a thoughtful friend.” His desire to serve others was rooted in his strong faith and exemplified in his day-to-day life.

It must be said that he was an avid Notre Dame fan who also cheered for UVA, Virginia Tech, VCU, NC State, and the Washington Commanders. He loved playing golf with his good friends at Herndon Centennial Golf Course. He attended the occasional ND football game, DC United soccer game and Washington Nationals baseball game with various combinations of his kids and his grandchildren. He loved Lake Anne Plaza and continued to walk around the lake greeting everyone with a friendly “Hello”. He had special vendors at the Lake Anne Farm market that he visited regularly. He was a great fan of PBS and was forever encouraging his kids and grandchildren to watch the latest documentary on US history. At family gatherings he loved to make a speech to remind his family how fortunate they were and to share their good fortune with others.

Richard will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Richard’s life will be celebrated with a funeral mass on March 20, 2026 at 11:00 with a reception to follow at St. John Neumann Parish, 11900 Lawyers Rd, Reston VA 20191.

In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to PBS in Richard’s honor.

Palmer Funeral Home – River Park Chapel is assisting the family.  Condolences online may be expressed to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.