Clarks Green man uses love for learning, helping others to combat Alzheimer’s

Rob Kennedy of Clarks Green always prided himself on learning technologies quickly. As a highly certified systems control engineer, it was not just his profession, but also his passion.

That all changed one day in January 2024. Rob was waiting in the office of his wife, Diane, who worked with him in the University of Scranton’s information technology department, as she wrapped up some work duties before they went to lunch. “He said to me, ‘I don’t know how to do my job,’” Diane said. “He had never phrased it that way before.”

Rob had experienced memory issues in 2015, but his symptoms subsided with stress management. This time was different. He could no longer perform the job he had for decades. “I wasn’t me anymore,” Rob said. “I knew something was wrong.”

The Kennedys were referred to a neurologist, who ordered a spinal tap to rule out Alzheimer’s Disease. Instead, they learned Rob was in the disease’s early stages at 57 years old.

Alzheimer’s typically affects people over the age of 65.

Fortunately, that same year, the Food and Drug Administration approved an infusion therapy called Leqembi, which is said to curtail cognitive decline. “We like to think it’s helped,” said Diane. “It certainly doesn’t hurt.”

Even more helpful has been Rob’s resolve to live life to the fullest. Because he could no longer work, Diane began worrying while she was at work. She convinced him to check out Hillside Senior Community Center in South Abington Township, which offered classes for yoga and meditation and served as a space for a support group called Koffee Klatch.

It took some time for Rob to speak up in the group.

“I sat there and watched and listened for two months,” he said.

The group warmly welcomed him from the start, however, and provided an outpouring of support when he finally opened up about his diagnosis. Rob also learned of other helpful resources, including the Memory Cafe at The Gathering Place, Clarks Summit. Now, he said, he’s one of the people welcoming new members who are as nervous as he was on his first day.

He also wanted to exercise his mind. Rob began oil painting classes at Hillside, and broadened his interest in music by borrowing albums from friends to rediscover his musical tastes. He also learned to play guitar.

“I wanted to learn new things, instead of making myself miserable trying to relearn what I lost,” Rob said.

Now, some of his paintings are displayed around town, and he can play Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” and Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces.”

“It keeps my brain busy,” he said.

Rob soon realized he wanted to do more through public speaking. He has spoken at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and at many events, including conferences at Geisinger and the Wright Center. He has guest lectured at the University of Scranton and served as a representative for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Rob advises anyone with a loved one with dementia to be patient.

“Give them the space and the time for their thoughts and words to come out.”

As for those living with memory loss, he said to seek out community. “Yes, there’s a lot of vulnerability, “ he added. “But that vulnerability is met with a lot of support and connection.”

These days, the Kennedys try not to worry about the future, preferring to ask, “How do we make today successful?”

Rob said that, at 59, he remains hopeful about his journey. He continues to use his story to educate, support, and encourage Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones by letting them know that the diagnosis does not define them.

“I may have lost a lot of who I was before, but in some ways, I have more than I ever had,” he said. “I may not be the person I was, but I’m proud of the person I’ve become.”