Kent’s towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

KENT — Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed.

Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

Last week, Gary Kidd, Dan Greenbaum and Loghan Bennett decided to build a snowman on the Golden Falcon lot to honor Kennedy. The site was chosen because it is right across the street where his brother Jeff and family live and from where they operate their business, Foreign Cargo. Leaning against the creation is Kennedy’s bicycle. The snowman is holding flags that wave in the wind.

“Robbie was a cheerleader for the town, and we thought the flags were a way to show that,” Kidd said, who acknowledged that the trio didn’t start to make it that big, but it just grew.

“It’s dedicated to Robbie in the spirit of childlike enthusiasm at any age,” Greenbaum said on Facebook.

The creature, with its large eyes, plaid scarf and top hat, has become a great attraction in town. It was featured on a WFSB-TV segment, throngs of people have stopped to snap photos, and Kidd has talked to Kent Center School classes who have come out for field trips.

Among those who like to visit is Jeff Kennedy. “The outpouring for Robbie from townspeople has been amazing,” he said. “At one time there was talk of maybe having him move closer to other family members, but I said Robbie has to stay here. He belonged in Kent.”