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Bernard Kent “Kent” Bainbridge, age 73, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, surrounded by family. The Tri-State Cremation Center is assisting the family. A private family memorial ceremony will be held at a later date.
Kent was born on February 8, 1950, in New Hampton, Iowa, to Bernard and Faye Evelyn (Bever) Bainbridge. He graduated from Eldora High School in 1968, where he still holds the pole-vaulting record. In 1969, Kent was newly employed by the phone company and was transferred to Dubuque where he met his future wife, Mary Ellen Mengler. They were married on June 24, 1972. Kent spent his working years as a telephone installer/repairman for Northwestern Bell, Qwest, and finally Century link before retiring in July of 2007, after over 36 years of service.
Kent was a cherished and loving life partner to his wife, Mary, for over 50 years. He was a father, grandpa, son, uncle and brother, and friend who was loved for his intelligence and wit, his laughter, and his wonderful and often unconventional sense of humor. Throughout his life, Kent demonstrated integrity, patience, persistence, and resiliency. He accepted the unbelievable challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease for 8 years with humor, grace, and dignity.
Kent loved adventure, making people laugh, and scaring the daylights out of people every chance he got. He loved fly-fishing, bicycled across Iowa 18 summers, jumped out of airplanes, and loved riding his Harley. He was able to do a standing backflip into his 50’s and did his last one standing on concrete in his 40’s. He won the gold medal in his age group at the Iowa games for snowboarding in his 50’s. Kent enjoyed gardening, hiking, garage sales, road trips, spending time with family at the cabin, and playing Frisbee with “the best dogs ever”, Skippy and Blue.
A supportive and loving father to his sons, Dan and Chris, he took great pride in their accomplishments and achievements. Some of his sons’ favorite memories are going on road trips, riding bicycles and motorcycles, fly-fishing with their dad, and Ragbrai. When helping their dad with home improvement projects and building the family cabin, they learned a lot about the pride he took in his work and his artistic attention to detail.
He was a loving grandpa to his granddaughter, Isabella, and was easily persuaded to stop for ice cream due to sweet tooth issues on both of their parts, enjoyed visits to bookstores, her orchestra performances, and appreciated that she knew what songs to play to help him “feel like dancing” (Rocky Racoon, Great Balls of Fire, Baby’s Got Back, I’ve Got Ants in My Pants).
Kent was dearly loved by those he leaves behind. Those who remain to honor his memory include his wife, Mary; his son, Dan (Erin Lee Jones) Bainbridge, New York, his son, Chris Bainbridge, Dubuque, IA; his granddaughter, Isabella Bainbridge of Dubuque; his brother, Robert (Rosie) Bainbridge, Corpus Christi, Texas; his sister Barbara (Mike) Carr, of Marshall, Texas; and numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.
Kent was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Donna Rapier.
A special thank you to Dr. Kirkendahl, and his nurse, Kate, for their support and care over the years. Also, to the wonderful people at Hospice of Dubuque for their professional and compassionate care of Kent, and his family during the last year and a half.
In remembrance of Kent’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Hospice of Dubuque at www.hospiceofdubuque.org/donation
Online condolences may be shared with Kent’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com
A private family memorial ceremony will be held at a later date.
I was one of those fortunate bikers who crossed paths with Kent with the DBQ Bike Club, dating back to my early years of RAGBRAI 17 in 1989. Loved Kent’s quirky humor, along with his partner-in-mischef, Paul Weideman. Grateful to enjoy Kent’s company over the years on our week of RAGBRAI, getting to see his pride of taking Dan, and then Chris, with him for the week. And he left quite a legacy in the personalities of these boys…RIDE ON KENT!!!
Dave, thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories of Kent. He was a man who loved good times with family and friends and never missed an opportunity to make someone laugh!
I loved reading all the adventures that Kent had experienced in his life before dementia. Mary, Isabella. & sons -you all did a great job & support on Kent’s dark days. May he now rest in peace
Mary and family I’m sorry to hear about Kent. You are such a caring and wonderful family. If there’s anything I can do for you,Mary, please give me a call.
Connie, thank you for your kind words and your offer of help. I’ll try to give you a call in the next week or so.
Connie, thank you for your kind words and your offer of help. I’ll try to give you a call in the next week or so.
Sorry Mary to here of Kent’s passing;Our prayers an thoughts are with you An your family in this great time of Sorrow;Iwas shocked to here the passing of Kent we worked togeather for so manny years An it was always a great pleasure working with Kent we had a lot of fun together An yes he would scare the daylights out f me when ever he had the right opportunity! We not only worked good together we got along with each other exstreamly well ! I’ll have manny found memories of Kent An really miss a great co worker an a True Friend!God Bless You Kent!!!
Mary, Dan, Chris and Isabella, I’m sorry for your pain.
Kent was a brother, a mentor and a friend to me. He was humble, happy, fun and funny. He had an easy manner and yet was full of energy. He taught me so much (juggling, how to ride a motorcycle, backflips off the edge of the pool). All kinds of cool stuff. He was strong, he was gentle. He was intelligent and caring. He was dedicated to family. What a wonderful family, too, that dedicated themselves to him when he most needed it. I loved Kent and will miss him greatly. I love you all.
Mary, Dan and Chris you all have my deepest sympathy. I had the pleasure of working with Kent for many years and we were known to stop off and have a few cold ones at the Golden Pheasant and the Dog House after work. I always enjoyed his sense of humor and adventurous spirit. And I can personally attest to his ability to do a standing backflip, for it cost me a $10 bet that I had made with him. Great guy and will truly be missed by all.
Mary, A rush of memories has come over me after reading the notice in the paper. We had a lot of fun and Kent had a great sense a humor and cared deeply about people.