Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The campus community mourns the passing of John Kendrick, 91, who died Saturday, May 9. John retired in 2001 after more than 25 years of service as a professor of sociology. He served as department chair and was instrumental in pioneering the campus micro-computing infrastructure, supporting the early residential college system and shaping the liberal arts curriculum. John\u2019s colleagues recall him as a dedicated mentor and collaborative researcher in feminism who remained passionately committed to community governance throughout his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I encourage you to visit our In Memoriam site to share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to John\u2019s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John C. Bravman
President<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John Murray Kendrick died peacefully at his home in Pompton Plains, NJ, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the age of 91.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is survived by his two daughters and a younger brother. Born on April 6, 1935, in Gatesville, Texas, John attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned degrees in Business Administration\/Investment Banking and the distinguished Plan II Liberal Arts program. During his years there, he became deeply involved in the Faith and Life community, beginning a lifelong pursuit of purpose, justice, and human connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That pursuit led him to Yale Divinity School, where he met his wife of 52 years, Barbara Jacobson, in the Yale Library when the two reached for the same book. They married in 1962 while pursuing doctoral degrees in Sociology at Northwestern University. After teaching at Yale University, John joined the faculty at Bucknell University, where he became Chair of the Sociology Department and helped establish He also helped establish and manage three distinct residential colleges at Bucknell: the International College, the Social Justice College, and the Technology and Society College, reflecting his lifelong commitment to equity, thoughtful inquiry, and compassionate citizenship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following his retirement in the early 2000s, John decided to get involved in community service in Leonia, where he and his family had lived since 1982. Among other things, he helped found the Leonia ListServ, served on the Leonia Library Board and the Flat Rock Brook Board, and was a member of the Leonia Board of Education. Widowed in 2014 following Barbara’s passing, John remained intellectually and civically engaged, prioritizing deepening his connections with family. He moved to Cedar Crest, Pompton Plains, NJ, in 2020 where he continued his commitment to improving the lives of others in his community. In the last days of his life he was surrounded by his daughters, son-in-law, and his supportive and loving Cedar Crest community. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Cedar Crest Chapel on May 26 at 10am, with a light luncheon to follow. For more information please contact Sherri Kendrick at sherkend@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Leonia Library at https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/en-US\/donation-form\/bdd98e60-00aa-4eb4-9368-eb6aca26eec1<\/a>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flat Rock Brook Nature Center at https:\/\/www.mygiving.net\/donate\/FlatRockBrook-Giving<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Or the Cedar Crest Scholarship Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n