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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Ryan O'donovan
Kevin O'Donovan
November 20th, 1972 - September 23rd, 2021
November 20th, 1972 - September 23rd, 2021
Kevin Matthew O'Donovan, 48, passed unexpectedly on September 23, 2021. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI and resided in Alexandria, VA. Kevin graduated from Forest Hills Northern High School in 1990. He went on to study at George Washington University and the London School of Economics. After completing his studies in London, Kevin returned to Washington D.C. where he worked briefly in the private sector. He then focused his career in government service joining the Department of Energy and ultimately becoming a Senior Domestic Policy Advisor for Vice President Cheney. Kevin left the White House in 2005 and began a long career in government relations focusing on issues associated with the energy industry and nature conservation. He was also active in philanthropy, having served on the board of directors for Ducks Unlimited and the Building Conservation Trust. Most recently Kevin was the Chairman of the Board for the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland. While some might say he had a stubborn streak, his passion and resiliency made him an ideal advocate for the causes he championed.
Kevin was a force of nature, determined to help those around him and provide for his family. His family and friends meant more to him than anything else in the world. He was an intensely loyal friend who would drop everything to help someone in need. His work and propensity to travel for hunting and fishing trips took him to places around the world where he was quick to make friendships that lasted throughout his life.
Kevin was a devoted and loving father, brother and son. He is survived by his daughter, Grace, his brother and his wife, Ryan and Stephanie, his parents, Tim and Karen, his nephew, Graham, and his niece, Nora.
A private celebration of Kevin's life will be held in Alexandria, Virginia for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland. https://www.ccamd.org/kevin-odonovan/
Kevin’s family wishes to gather memories and photos here on this site for his beloved daughter, Grace. Kevin was a deeply devoted father to Grace, involved in every aspect of her life from traveling together to school to Indian Princesses. She will miss the telling and retelling of stories of Kevin’s upbringing, work and exploits with his wide circle of friends. Capturing our dear friend in ways that are significant and everyday will be a comfort to Grace. Please share a picture, memory or a story or two with her by November 20 in the Tribute section of this website. We also hope that you will please share this request and link with all of the people that know Kevin in your circle of friends and colleagues.
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Kevin’s life with a heartfelt message.
Jim Mcvaney
Still missing this guy.
Angela Flood
Dear Grace, I knew your dad 25(?) years ago from working on Capitol Hill and philanthropic activities we were involved in. We had just reconnected by phone a few weeks before his unexpected passing. Kevin was as civic-minded as ever, involved in multiple efforts to address issues he cared about. He was a person of action - if he saw a social condition in need of a solution or thought of a way to improve his corner of the world, he did something about it. You might be too young now to know how uncommon this is, but someday you will appreciate how much your dad contributed to making the world a better place. I’m very sorry he isn’t with us anymore, Grace. You must miss him very much. But I hope you know you carry a part of him with you - and you are his greatest contribution to the world. Sincerely, Angela Flood
Elizabeth Stolpe
In the summer of 2018, your Dad sponsored a big party for CCA at our friends the Kreindler's house. You and I snuck off into their garden to play on the trampoline and had the best time - we laughed and were silly and talked about a million things.
Tom Buckmaster
Kevin's Celebration of Life was a remarkable event. As you look back on it years from now, when you have a little more experience with such things, I hope you'll remember just how clearly your Dad was seen by his friends, how "known" he was. Kevin O'Donovan lived his life "out loud"....vigorously and vividly, energetically and passionately. Kevin's generosity spanned many sectors, conservation, sportsmen, veterans and those less blessed. He shared those causes with many of us, invited us to share his joy in service to others. And we grew to know him this way. So my dear Grace....here's my learning from your Dad's Celebration. As sad as it was, as great as our collective loss will long be.....as we told our stories and shared our memories, there were really no surprises. Usually such events are characterized by people saying "wow, I wish I'd known that" or "I had no idea that...". But that's not how people responded to the stories about your Dad. Our Kevin lived his life vibrantly, he sought and found meaning in my things. And then he SHARED those things, experiences, causes and events and in doing so he enriched all of us that knew him. His generosity knew no bounds. His life was well lived. He loved his family, especially you Grace, with his whole heart. Sometimes the Good do die young, but his spirit, good humor and legacy will long comfort us.
Matt Koch
Dear Grace - I met your Dad in the first week of the Bush Administration. We both started at DoE at the same time, and later both worked at the White House. We bonded over our love of sailing and fishing and growing up in the Great Lakes. Your Dad was such an easy person like and to get along with. Whenever we saw each other, we rarely talked about work or politics. Our conversations were easy, and mostly about the other more important non-work things - sailing and fishing of course, but also friends, family, traveling back "home" to spend a beautiful summer week or weekend on "the Lake" (which each had a different "Lake"), as well as volunteering and helping others. When we hadn't seen each other in a while, our conversations went along as if we had been together the day before. My two sons were little when Kevin and I met, and he used to ask me about them all the time - how did they like playing hockey and baseball, were they "up at the Lake", had we been fishing, how were the sailing lessons going,...So it was so so great when you came along and I could listen to your Dad tell me about you. He loved sharing stories and updating me on how you were doing. Your Dad adored you, he treasured you, and was in awe of you. Kevin knew he was blessed that you came into his life and that he was your father, and I so enjoyed hearing in his voice the love he had for you. I'll miss your Dad, and wish I could hang out and have another drink with him and catch up. I treasure our friendship, and I am so glad and lucky to have known him. With love, Matt Koch
Elizabeth Stolpe
My dear friend, Sheila Buckmaster, made this sweater many years ago. She decided that she wanted you to have it! Here you are modeling it for us on your Dad's boat.
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