Kerwin L. Rakness

Kerwin Luther Rakness was born on June 20, 1946, to Elenora Kittelson and Leif Rakness in Watertown, South Dakota, the third of four sons. He lived on a farm near the tiny town of Henry, South Dakota, where he graduated from High School in 1964. He attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, from which he received B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1969 and a Masters degree in Sanitary Engineering in 1970. As a participant in the ROTC program he went directly into the U. S. Army and served with the rank of Captain at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where for two years he taught food and water sanitation classes for military units heading to Vietnam. He was married to Cheryl Ness on January 25, 1969; and their first son, Greg, was born in 1971, while they were in San Antonio. Later the family moved to Denver, where Kerwin was hired to work with the EPA. The man who hired him was none other than Bob Hegg, who later became his best friend and business partner. They worked with the EPA for two years, and their understanding of how this government agency operated was very useful to them in later years as they developed contracts for consulting with waste-water and water treatment plants. Kerwin also worked for a year in Denver with FMC, a private manufacturing company. Kerwin and Cheryl’s second son, Eric, was born in Denver in 1974. The family moved to Fort Collins in 1975, where once again Kerwin and Bob worked together, at M&I Consulting Engineering Company. There they focused their attention on developing an innovative approach to evaluating problems in the operation of sewage treatment plants. A few years later, in April of 1982, Kerwin and Bob Hegg struck out on their own, forming a business partnership under the name of Process Applications, Inc. They took their concept of evaluating operating problems and presenting innovative solutions and expanded it, eventually moving into the field of ozone disinfection treatment of drinking water. This technology was already being used in Europe, but it was very new in the United States. Kerwin particularly immersed himself in the study of ozone treatment, and before long, he became a world-famous expert in this very important new field. He is recognized for his many scientific papers on the process, and a book titled, “Ozone in Drinking Water Treatment,” is widely regarded as the “bible” for ozone water treatment plant operations. He has worked as a highly valued consultant for such plants in many places around the world, including Los Angeles, Boston, Las Vegas, Dallas, Hong Kong, Seoul, Toronto, York (England), and others. His career record is impressive, but it does not nearly tell Kerwin’s whole story. Perhaps other aspects of his life can best by summed up in son Greg’s words: “Dad was all about keeping priorities straight. And for him, the priorities were God, family, and friends – in that order, and approaching all with a deep attitude of love.” In other words, relationships and personal interaction were his basic values in life. And interestingly, those are the things that made him so successful in his business career as well. Bob Hegg states, “With all the scientific and engineering technical proficiency and know-how that Kerwin possessed, what made him so immensely successful were his people-skills. His ability to bring people together in team-work and in understanding how to solve problems – that’s what made it all work.” Kerwin’s people-skills are also what made him such a dear friend to so many, whether in his ROMEO Golf Club (where he was not only one of the best golfers in the group of 75 players, but also a much-loved and admired individual); or at his Church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, where he was so respected that Pastor Dana Peterson said recently, “When Kerwin spoke, it was like the voice of God – everybody said, ‘Well, if Kerwin says that’s something the church should do, then let’s do it!’” And he was a deeply-caring family man – first to Cheryl, the sweetheart of his life; then to his sons and lovely daughters-in-law, and of course his beautiful grandchildren (Ellie, daughter of Greg and Pam; and Quinlan, Harper, and Saoirse, son and two daughters of Eric and Roisin). His grandchildren only came along a few short years ago, but in that time, everyone agrees he was “born to be a grandpa.” His involvement with family extended outward, like many waves and ripples on a pond. Most closely connected are brother Fred and his wife, Sharon, of Atlanta, GA; brother Randy and his wife, Linda, of Watertown, SD; and sister-in-law Kathy of Valencia, CA, widow of brother Warren. There are also many nieces and nephews, and even more cousins both in the U.S. and in Norway. Kerwin was instrumental in bringing these many family elements together by organizing, along with his brothers, family reunions that take place every five years on the family homestead near Henry, SD. Kerwin worked hard to include the relatives from Norway, so that at the most recent reunion in 2014, there were 30 family members present from the “old country.” The reunions grew from a modest start more than 30 years ago to a wonderful gathering now of more than 400 people; and a few years ago, they drew the attention of Better Homes & Gardens magazine, which spotlighted the event in the middle of America as “the best family picnic in the country.” For Kerwin, the family gatherings, and the frequent trips back to the farm, were always a source of great enjoyment. In every part of his life, Kerwin was one who could get things organized and accomplished, and who got people to work with him joyfully and willingly. At church, he served on Church Council several times; on at least two different pastoral Call committees; as a Sunday School teacher; and on the Worship & Music committee for years. And he was always involved behind the scenes when new technologies were introduced (like the video system), or when fund-raising was needed (as with a new building program). In his career, he was widely recognized by his peers as a leader, being a life member of the American Water Works Association, and serving on the Board of Directors of the International Ozone Association. Within his family, he was the entirely beloved brother and father and cousin and uncle who would always be sure that everyone was included and that activities were kept going forward with joy and vigor. Kerwin died on June 9, 2016, after only two months since he was first diagnosed with stage four cancer, and only eleven days short of his 70th birthday. He took his last breaths peacefully in the presence of Cheryl, who was joined minutes later by a few close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1200 S. Taft Hill Rd., Fort Collins, CO, 80521; or other gifts may be directed to the website CaringBridge.org, where Kerwin’s journal was recorded during the time of his illness. May he rest in the peace and love of God, who kept him so securely throughout his life here on earth.

Tributes

Kerwin L. Rakness

June 20, 1946 - June 9, 2016