Kevin Hollenbeck

Kevin Michael Hollenbeck - TAKOMA PARK, MD - The man. The bandanna. The friend. Kevin Michael Hollenbeck, died on December 9, 2022, brought down by colon cancer and scurrilous gravity. Born on January 2, 1971, Kevin spent his childhood in California. In his teenage years he moved to Maryland where he earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and English, then to Oklahoma to earn a Master’s degree in English. Returning to Maryland, he then launched a career of varied occupations to support his pursuit of enjoying life to the maximum. Kevin loved astronomical events, shuttle launches, Tori Amos, Amanda Palmer, Weird Al Yankovic, roller coasters, live theatre and concerts, music, Shakespeare, acting, walking half-marathons, photographing everything and anyone, and just frickin' showing up everywhere. Kevin adored movies; he saw every and any film several times, including the director's cut. He was an accomplished actor and an articulate and engaging conversationalist. He loved parties and improved every one he attended. Kevin was also wonderful at figuring out your computer woes, being a terrific listener, wearing black, and spouting obscure movie and theater trivia. Kevin was known for quickly dropping everything and showing up at events of any kind on the spur of the moment, and he loved doing it. He was a terrific self-taught photographer and spent years honing his craft.  He continually collected stories and photos, always improving his skills while using them to help his friends. He had a zillion friends and connected with them by simply showing up and pitching in on whatever the hell was going on. He was possessed of a brilliant imagination, a compelling force able to bring together resources and people to make amazing creative things happen. In and around his many interests, Kevin managed to convince you that your specific thing was the real reason he was there. Kev leaves behind a frillion images of his friends, planets, rockets, weddings, eclipses, landscapes, and memories, but no funerals. Funerals are for the living; Kevin has moved on from this plane and is now somewhere else, shining as brightly as the moon he photographed beautifully so many times. He is survived by gajillions who will miss him daily. Going forward we carry our perfect image of Kevin in our hearts like the perfect image of the moon he sought to capture. Thanks for living and sharing your life with us, Shadowcaptain; you have left us way too soon.

Please think of Kevin when you chip in for someone’s fundraiser, whether it’s for cancer, a half marathon, a new theatre company, a stand mixer, or whatever.

(Photo by Kyle Cassidy)