It is with tears in my eyes I write this obituary…
Kenny The Wadd, Doo-check, Holmes…
The above pict is early 1981 on Guadalcanal.
I met Ken in November 1980. We were both to-be Peace Corps Volunteers, went to an orientation on the East Coast. It was a Cape Cod kids meets the Iowa farm boy situation. We became friends quickly.
We spent the next 3years 81, 82, 83 being PCVs together. Most of that time we lived near each either other on the Island Of Choiseul. I was teaching at Choiseul Bay PSS, Ken was a Business Advisor based on Taro Island. By the end of ’82 we both had Choiseul ladies to spend time with. By the end of ’83 we both had Choiseulini baby girls.
Of course, times change and Ken left the Solomons (the first time) in 84. Traveled, grew, changed, came back a few times, traveled more… somewhere in there, was it the late 80s, Ken sorted the paper work out so his daughter, Roycie, could move to the US and live with her dad.
Ken was one of those PCVs that never stoped coming back. Of course, Roycie visiting her mother was important, and we all know how addictive, or maybe infectious the Solos can be. So, suffice it to say, Ive never been out of touch with Ken. My family and his are forever bound. Our daughters are the closest peers Ive ever met. PCV daddies + Choiseul mommies. A rare breed indeed.
Some where along the journey Ken got lucky and married Jennifer. Roycie struck it lucky and got the best Mom the world could conjure.
For too long she’d been the only child of a single father. A good father indeed, but we all know Moms are soooo good. Everyone should have at least one.
Just last week, I commented on one of Ken’s FB posts:
Bro, Just looking at your picts and the positive vibes I feel round, but feel I must comment, with huge respect… you look like shit. Damn, they beat you up good. How much weight did you lose? Was it the illness or the cure that has beaten you up the most?
Im old and sore and slow, and I know I look like shit too, but Im still 100kgs. not that its good but its better than 60kgs.
You could wrestle at fly weight by the looks of it.
I shan’t apologise for the irreverence due to longer term super-friend pass. But I do smile when I see the islander in your grandson, Luka(?), and the glow of familial joy that I find in each pict.
God, our Solomon babies produce such gorgeous kids! Damn!
So what is your known or predicted trajectory? Have the medicos got that hooks in you? You going to be able to run wild and howl on the hill tops, again? You do indeed know I am always and all ways standing by, somewhere on the planet, available to help, talk, assist, go get wild, get in a fight (a small one please) or generally be young, together again.
big smiles, old friend
This was four-days ago.
Guess I know what Ken’s trajectory is.
So, all my energy to Jennifer and Roycie and her family. You both know where I am. Holler when I can do or help with anything.
Big smiles
Bigger tears
The Native Iowan 
No words, my dear friend.
Love to his family, your family, and all the families he touched.
w.
By: Willis Eschenbach on October 28, 2022
at 10:28 pm
[…] When Ken passed, I wrote the following: https://nativeiowan.wordpress.com/2022/10/28/2022-v10-obituary-kennythewaddholmes/?fbclid=IwAR19Rygq… […]
By: 2023 v7.SundaycomingDown | The Native Iowan on July 16, 2023
at 2:35 am