 KEVIN KIRK FISKE, 64, passed away Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 from young onset Alzheimer's disease after living his entire life in overdrive. Born in Lakewood, Ohio on Feb. 15, 1950, he was raised in Rocky River, Ohio and Fort Wayne, Ind. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind. with honors in leadership, sports and art and he attended Indiana University as an art history major. While there, he was a member of the 'Little 500' cycling team in 1970 that won the University's annual race. He transferred to the University of Idaho, graduating with honors with a degree in forestry while pursuing his new passion - mountain climbing. He climbed Mount McKinley in Denali National Park in Alaska in 1972, the youngest member of a National Geographic Society sponsored team that endured 43 days on the mountain. At the summit, his U.S. team was joined by a Japanese climbing team on the same route. When it was discovered that one of the Japanese members had severe frostbite, Kevin carried him down Mt. McKinley, saving his life. Until his Alzheimer's illness, he lived almost all of his adult life in the Seattle, Wash. area. He worked as a log buyer for the forest products industry, traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest, Japan, Canada and Europe. His passion to compete required a lifelong daily training routine. As a result of that commitment, he participated in and was successful in state, national or international competitions in rowing, golden glove boxing, mountain climbing, marathon running, cycling, and cross country skiing. He also owned Formula and vintage race cars and raced them in the U.S. and in Europe. Alpha Romeo and Ferrari were his favorites. He was an early member of SOVREN (Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts). After a young nephew of his was treated for cancer at Seattle Children's Hospital during the 1980's, he helped organize an annual SOVREN fundraising event for the hospital. In its 25 years the annual SOVREN event has raised over $8 million for Seattle Children's Hospital. Surviving are his brothers, Pat of Stillwater, Minn. and Andy of Vero Beach, Fla.; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, who will never forget their amazing Uncle Kevin; he had many friends around the world but his greatest love, all would acknowledge, were his dogs. Among those precious canines were Molly, Ozzie, and his Scotties - Max, Tommie and Laddie, all now deceased. He is survived by his beloved whippet, Claudio, his best friend to the end. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rosemary Fiske, from Vero Beach, Fla.; and his older brother, Peter from Bremen, Maine. Private interment. "Special thanks to the amazing staff at Arthurs Residential Care in Shoreview, Minn. and St. Croix Hospice in Stillwater, Minn., who cared for Kevin with love and compassion. All who loved, worked with, competed against or befriended Kevin will remember him by his favorite two words - LET'S GO!!!" Preferred Memorials to
, Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter, 7900 West 78th Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, (MN 55439) and Alzheimer's Research Center - Center for Memory and Aging, Regions Hospital Foundation, 640 Jackson Street, Mailstop 11203A, St. Paul, (MN 55101). Arrangements by Bradshaw Funeral Homes, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, (MN 55082).
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Carole Jackson (Schoenefeld)
Although Kevin did not graduate from South Side High School, he attended for one year and tranferred to Culver Military Academy. He was known as a good friend by many who went to school with him at South Wayne Elementary and Harrison Hill Junior High. As we can see from his obituary, he led a very interesting and exciting life.
Courtney Atkinson
The obituary is as follows:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/twincities/obituary.aspx?n=kevin-kirk-fiske&pid=172861959&
Bonnie Hagerman
It was interesting to me that Kevin's life path took him from Lakewood and Rocky River, Ohio to Fort Wayne and mine has done just the opposite! Thank you all for sharing Kevin's life story with us.