Winter 2004

Employee Spotlight: Robert Kennicott

Working at the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind is a family affair for Robert Kennicott, production worker. Robert’s sister, June, first started working here in 1973. Robert followed a year later. “I met my wife here. Her brother used to work here. My mother-in-law used to work here, my father-in-law works here.” Robert says that, for him at least, the Lighthouse is a real “family organization.”

Family is a priority for Robert, who spends much of his time outside the Lighthouse helping care for his grandchildren. Robert’s family welcomed a brand new addition this winter. “I just became a great-grandpa three weeks ago,” he marvels, “just this little tiny thing.” Both he and his wife of seventeen years, Carol, currently work producing Lighthouse hydration systems for the military. Hydration systems are the next generation canteen: flexible rather than hard, carried in a backpack and equipped with a bite valve and drinking tube allowing soldiers to stay hydrated on the move.

Visually impaired due to deterioration of the retina, Robert learned of the Lighthouse through both his sister and through the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. Although currently working on the Lighthouse hydration system line, he says “I’ve been all over the Lighthouse. You name it, I’ve done it.”

Robert left the Lighthouse in 1989, spending five years working as a forest ranger and taking care of his granddaughter. Working as a ranger suited Robert, who loves the outdoors, perfectly. “I blazed trails, debarked a whole lot of wood, painted, cruised around and looked after the kids.”

Robert then returned to the Lighthouse as a production worker. “I love hydrations,” he says of his current position.  It’s clean, you go at your own pace. I really enjoy my fellow employees there.”

A Washington native, Robert lives in Des Moines with Carol and their dog and cat. He also owns vacation property in Shelton. When not at the Lighthouse, Robert pursues his love of the outdoors by camping and swimming. “I love to sit around a campfire,” he smiles. Robert also loves taking trips around the Northwest. “I own my own trailer, I do a lot of traveling.” He has spent time in Montana, Oregon, Idaho and California. For camping though, he prefers to “camp around here.”

Whether traveling to Butte or Portland, you’ll probably find Robert listening to music on the way. “I like rock and roll. I like all kinds of music ¾ some rap,” he says with a grin. “The grandkids listen to it. You gotta get used to it.”

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