"I have the good fortune of meeting Dr. Kent when I studied my master's degree in mathematics at Washington State University during1974-75. Dr. Kent (even though he kept telling me to call him Darrell after I graduated) was an excellent professor. He was friendly and caring for his students. I got to meet his family, and even got the chance to teach his youngest daughter some Chinese! After Dr. Kent retired from WSU and moved to Issaquah, I have had more chances to get together with his family. Dr. Kent, thank you for the honor to have you as my professor, and all the help you have given me along the way. I am sure you are now resting in God's love and peace! Wai-Ching Teresa Ling"
In loving memory of
Darrell Conley Kent
September 12, 1933 - August 31, 2024
Darrell Conley Kent was born on September 12, 1933, in Monroe, Louisiana, to Dallas and Aubrey Kent. He received his B.S. in physics from LSU in 1954 and a M.S. in physics from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 1959. He then switched his focus to mathematics, receiving his Ph.D. from UNM in 1963. He taught at Washington State University for over 43 years and published 106 papers in general topology. More specifically, his research addressed uniform spaces, completions, probabilistic metric spaces, ordered topological spaces, and especially convergence structures, including what are now called "Kent convergence structures."
During the summer of 1960, Darrell met his wife, Jan Benda, on a ferry in Norway while they were both hitchhiking and cycling across Europe. They were married in 1961 and have four children, Cathy, Becky, Dan and Sara, as well as a foster daughter Cathy from Cuba, and eleven grandchildren.
Faith was especially important to Darrell. Jan and Darrell were active members of St. Augustine's Catholic church for 50 years. Darrell was a talented musician, playing complex classical and other music by ear. He loved sharing his talent, which he did often at home, church, local nursing homes and during the weekly prayer group gatherings that were so special to him.
He enjoyed gardening and shared the abundance wherever he could. His children started the first farmers market in Moscow, Idaho, by selling pumpkins on Main Street from a Volkswagen bus.
His beloved dog Koto preceded him in death by several hours on August 31st, 2024.
Services
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 26th, 2024 at noon with a reception to follow in the parish hall.
Where:
Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church
1121 228th Ave SE
Sammamish, WA 98075
For those not able to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed. Details and link will be provided on Wednesday, 10/23.
Tributes
"Darrell was a colleague of mine in the Math Dept at WSU. When I arrived to Pullman in 1994 I needed lots of things including help moving several boxes from storage. Darrell didn?t know me, introduced himself to me, and asked if I needed anything. He offered his truck and along with a couple of other folks helped me move. He even offered me some tomatoes. I?ll never forget that welcome."
"I was in the prayer group at St. Auggies in Moscow with Darrell for decades. He was the sweetest guy (and also loved sweets!) His faith was rock solid and he was a great role model of Christian living. It was impressive the way he could play just about any song by ear. He was gentle-natured, kind and humble, and will be missed. I'm sure he is looking down on us from heaven now. Terri Schmidt"