May 6, 1998
Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens
(615) 322-2706
|
May 6, 1998 Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens (615) 322-2706 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--- The funeral for Kevin Longinotti, who died from injuries received when a tree fell on him during an April 16 tornado near the Vanderbilt University campus, has been set for May 9 in Memphis. The 22-year-old will receive his degree posthumously during Vanderbilt's May 8 Commencement exercises.
Visitation is scheduled at the Memphis Funeral Home on May 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. and on May 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral home is located at 5599 Poplar Ave. The graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to the Kevin Longinotti Benefit Fund, c/o First Tennessee Bank, 4990 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38117.
Longinotti died May 4, just four days before he was to have received his bachelor's degree and to have been commissioned as an Army officer. Because he completed the requirements for graduation, Longinotti's family will be presented his diploma during Commencement. In addition, he will be commissioned posthumously as an Army officer.
Longinotti was remembered as a caring and compassionate student by his
friends and fellow cadets during an emotional memorial service May 5 at
Vanderbilt's Benton Chapel.
Lt. Col. Michael Patenaude, director and commanding officer of Vanderbilt Army ROTC, said that Longinotti was a great friend, student and ROTC cadet who would have been a fine officer. "If we take a lesson from his caring nature, Kevin can still accomplish much through us," Patenaude told his family and approximately 200 friends, faculty members, University officials and other members of the Vanderbilt community who attended the service.
Among Longinotti's friends and colleagues who spoke was John Phillips, a Vanderbilt senior and fellow cadet. Phillips remembered meeting Longinotti when they were walking across campus from a ROTC lab. "He was full of energy and interested in everyone around him," Phillips said. "There was no one that he did not have time for, and nothing was too small for Kevin."
Phillips noted that Longinotti understood the importance of friendship and that he brought many good people together who will never forget him or his concern for others.
Jennifer Rosson, another member of Longinotti's Vanderbilt class, remembered that he loved math and loved to teach. She and several of the other students who spoke said they were grateful that they had the opportunity to know him.
Daniel Allen, a junior at Vanderbilt, said that Longinotti took him under his wing because he was one of the youngest resident advisers. "Kevin told me not to be afraid to set excellence as the standard," Allen said. "He truly showed that one man can make a difference."
Richard Jones, assistant director of housing and residential education, thanked Longinotti's mother, Deborah Slepicka, for reaching out to all of them in their time of grief and for sharing her son with the University community.
The 50-minute service was conducted by Col. Charles W. McCaskey, chaplain for the Tennessee Army National Guard. Longinotti's Army boots, belt and helmet were displayed in front of the altar. A photo of Longinotti, in his Army uniform, had been placed on the altar.
During the service, which was taken from the Book of Worship for the Armed Forces, there was the traditional roll call. Longinotti's name was called three times. The third and last time there was a moment of silence followed by the playing of taps.
As the service concluded, a bagpiper played traditional Scottish hymns outside the chapel.
Also see;
- Blood drive attracts large turnout - with photos
- A letter from the Chancellor -
-VU-
Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately
5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded
in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute,
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education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range
of graduate and professional degrees.
For more news about Vanderbilt, visit the News and Public Affairs home page
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