I know a lot of you local Southern California folks will know this guy, he was a constant podium reminder to me since I started racing AG, and to never rest on my laurels. I had many opportunities over the years to have a beer and chat with Kevin, did not know he was sick though. Many of you probably were coached by him at some point, he was prolific in our community for many, many years. I will miss the thought of him out there always pushing the old guys limits, and the motivation that provided a lot of us from the old, original era…
I work really hard these days because of guys like Kevin. He always gives us the idea that slowing down was a mindset and did not have to be a given. RIP Kevin!
Monty I was saddened to hear about his passing yesterday and was waiting to see if a thread popped up about his life as he was often active here in the early days on ST from 2002 till 2008 or so after which I saw him less. Kevin and I had a lot of great discussions on the old Ironman Canada forum from 1997 and onwards and he gave me a lot of motivation and tips over the many years I did not qualify for Kona (13 ironman trys in 15 years then finally qualified). He was always positive and encouraging thru all the times I tried and failed and thankful for his kind words of encouragement (not every perpetual Kona qual guy is like that). I think Kevin would be moving to 65-69 around now as he was roughly 2 age groups ahead of me and I just joined 55-59. I hope his wife and daughters are dealing with this as well as possible during this horrible time.
Thanks for posting. Very sad. I don’t think I ever met Kevin but I felt I knew him primarily from his comments on the Gordo Byrn website message board and his social media comments on posts from Gordo after the website message board ended. He seemed to have a great perspective on balancing family with triathlon. I have an Epic Camp poster with Purcell leading Byrn and Molina up a climb in New Zealand. His spirit will not be forgotten. RIP Kevin.
Kevin taught me the art of Ironman. His initial assessment of my coaching needs provided the handle “Wild Horse†in 2004. Prayers to his family and friends, they meant everything to him.
I remember him from Gordo’s old page as well, particularly his posts about balancing family, career and triathlon. I saw him at IMFL way back when, he was a beast on the race course. RIP.
I never knew Kevin nor heard of him in my time, but I have seen many post about him recently and he sounds like an inspirational and encouraging triathlete coach and advisor that certainly touched the lives of quite a few triathletes, amateurs and professionals alike. I am sorry for your loss of a friend, a competitor and asset to the triathlon community.
Asset to the community both triathlon and in general is a one good way to describe KP. I met him in 2001 when I first moved to San Diego. It’s a devastating loss for his family, friends and the community. RIP Brother
Very sad Monty. Kevin was a good man and always genially concerned with how you were doing. I was at so many events with Kevin and he was such a race horse. Had no idea he was sick and had lost touch for some time. I also remember a few rides with him and he would always let me suck his wheel heading home. Bless his family.
Very sad Monty. Kevin was a good man and always genially concerned with how you were doing. I was at so many events with Kevin and he was such a race horse. Had no idea he was sick and had lost touch for some time. I also remember a few rides with him and he would always let me suck his wheel heading home. Bless his family.
Well guys, we have had Mike Reilly get us over many many finish lines. This is not a finish line any of us want to be at, but it it great that Mike was able to come in and share his kind words at a finish line that Kevin would have not liked to be at this young. Thanks Mike, this definitely means a lot,
I’ve known KP since 1999 when a bunch of us got together on the old Ironman California chat forum which morphed to the “Yellow Page†(since that was the color of the webpage) and a group of us have stayed friends ever since. KP was one of the nicest people you would ever meet in your whole life. I think Gordo has stated it very well.
I’ve known KP since 1999 when a bunch of us got together on the old Ironman California chat forum which morphed to the “Yellow Page†(since that was the color of the webpage) and a group of us have stayed friends ever since. KP was one of the nicest people you would ever meet in your whole life. I think Gordo has stated it very well.
I believe my first interaction with Kevin was 1997 or 1998 on the old Ironman Canada “grey page”. By the way, the person who is a gentleman online is a gentleman in the live world. Jackass online, eventually in real life, jackass emerges. Can we remember a single time that Kevin was not a gentleman in the online world? I cannot. Always supportive, positive, and motivational and a calming influence.
KP was the greatest. I had the good fortune to work with him for years as part of the Endurance Corner team and to get to know him in the best way possible - on his wheel for many, many miles during Epic camp 2006.
Tough as nails but, at the same time, the biggest heart and wisest noggin’ of any guy that I’ve ever had the good fortune to know. And, always willing to share that big heart and big wisdom with anyone who was lucky enough to cross his path.
The tri-world lost a big piece of its heart with the departure of KP last week but his impact will live on for many years to come.
And, always willing to share that big heart and big wisdom with anyone who was lucky enough to cross his path. – i was one of the lucky ones = almost 15 years ago when we exchanged messages on training plus we also had the same litespeed so it started about me asking about his bike then him giving training advice that i still follow to this day, told him i was in asia and he just shared story after story about his travels . God Speed KP!
I did not know Kevin, but the smartest people I know in the triathlon coaching world all thought of Kevin as one of the smartest people they knew. And they all speak even more glowingly of him as a person. What a legacy.
Thanks everyone for your stories about Kevin, this is what I had hoped for when posting this thread. He was a truly nice guy, and the usual nonsense that gets into people’s lives, just did not seem to be there with him. I’ve known him for a very long time, but did not know him at a super personal level, so thanks to all that did and are filling in some of the gaps…We were the same age and I always looked forward to meeting him on the podiums and pushing the limits into our twilight years. Lots of people are going to miss that guy…