SPRINGFIELD – Kent Lindquist, 82, (1935 – 2017) of Plumtree Road, Springfield, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Kent was born in Springfield to the late Frank A. and Elsie M. (Johnson) Lindquist. He achieved the Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts and was elected to the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood, graduated from Technical High School, earned a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MS degree in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University. He proudly served his country in the US Army. Kent began his career at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI. He held numerous positions including assignments to Brussels, Belgium and London, England. For several years after leaving Ford, he was a partner in Great Lakes Commuter Airlines, Detroit, MI. Subsequently he held senior personnel positions with Beaunit Corporation, CVS Corporation and General Nutrition Corporation. For ten years he was the owner/operator of Sanford Rose Associates, an executive recruiting firm in Windsor, CT. More recently he was a consultant for Human Resources Consulting, Hartford, CT.
Kent earned a private pilot’s license with instrument, commercial and multi-engine ratings and owned his own aircraft for many years.
Kent was proud of his Swedish ancestry and, especially at Christmas time, enjoyed preparing and serving traditional Swedish food and a family recipe for glogg (spiced wine).
His passion for genealogy was beyond compare. He thoroughly researched and documented his family tree, making several trips to Scandinavia to collect more details. He enthusiastically reported his findings to other family members at every opportunity. He was also eager to help others complete their family trees. He edited and published his father’s autobiography. He was the custodian of the records for many family members in Find A Grave.
Kent was an avid tennis player and enjoyed working out at the gym. He loved watching baseball and tennis on TV. He also loved to do yard work and projects around the house, leading his neighbors in installing solar panels.. He was a voracious reader as well. Whenever he had an interest in a subject or activity, he committed himself completely to become the best informed or best at that activity. He had a great memory.
Kent was predeceased by his sister, Susan D. Lindquist. He is survived by his brother Dean Lindquist and his wife Barbara of Westfield, MA, and his cherished companion, Sarah Schweer of Springfield, MA, and many wonderful cousins both here and in Sweden.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 11 AM at Springfield Cemetery, located at the intersection of Maple St. and Central St., Springfield, MA. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Southwick Forastiere Family Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com
