Oct. 1, 1952-Oct. 19, 2023
It is with profound sadness that the family of Kevin Mc-Neill announces his passing. He took his last breaths surrounded by the love of his family on October 19th at Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.
Descended from the Mc-Neills of Colansay, Scotland, Kevin was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, on October 1, 1952. His childhood and adolescence were spent in New Jersey, Ohio, and finally Texas. He was an avid athlete in throughout his life, culminating in passions for softball and golf. Kevin attended CU Boulder, receiving his degree in Mathematics. His most important experience there was meeting his wife, the love of his life, Linda Walton. The two married in 1973 and moved to Seattle, Washington, where Kevin began his career in Aerospace Engineering.
Kevin and Linda welcomed their daughter, Megan April in 1978, and in 1979 returned to Colorado where Kevin began his work at Martin Marietta. Son Brian Lee was born in 1980.
Kevin’s career was rich with work on interplanetary spacecraft and missions, including those that would travel to Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. The pinnacle was his role at Lockheed Martin as Program Manager for Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which launched in 2005. The orbiter continues to send valuable information back from Mars today.
Kevin retired in 2007, and he and Linda moved to Ridgway, Colorado in 2008. He worked tirelessly to perfect his golf game and create a beautiful home for them, and the rest of the family, who gather in Ridgway many times each year.
Kevin never met a stranger. He loved people and would connect with everyone he encountered, both exuding curiosity about their lives and sharing stories about his own. His most memorable review by a manager at work said, “Kevin can say in 100 words what most people can say in 10.” He loved to talk and teach and learn.
Most of all, Kevin loved his family. He shared lavish meals, and a passion for good beer. He and Linda traveled to many places around the world and came to love Roatan, Honduras, where the family has many cherished memories. He rooted for his children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors, and was proud of each of them.
Kevin is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughter Megan Luckan, son-in-law Dave; his son Brian, and daughter-in-law Kelsey; Grandchildren Isabel, Cooper, Kinnie, and Ellie; Sister Marty Henderson and brother-in-law John; Brother Allen McNeill and sister-in-law Sally; and brother Donald; and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Kevin’s name be made to Roatan Support Effort (roatansupporteffort.org), Second Chance Humane Society (secondchancehumane.org), or the University of Colorado Boulder (www.colorado. edu). To honor Kevin’s memory, please emulate his love of others and share kindness each day.
