Bryan Kenner

• Down in New Orleans, Bryan Kenner first saw the light of day.
• He attended De La Salle High School, which brought him into contact with the Christian Brothers, whom he joined.
• His teaching career took him to Texas and back to Louisiana. For a period of time, he was the Acting Principal of Archbishop Rummel High School.

After leaving the Christian Brothers to take care of his mother, Bryan taught at St. Charles Catholic before coming to Brother Martin in 1982.

• Bryan primarily taught math but also did several stints as Physics teacher.
• He also served as Bowling Coach from 1994-2009, four years as Junior Service Awareness Director, and two years as Photography Club Moderator.
• After retiring from Brother Martin, he returned to St. Charles where he taught part-time until ill health prevented continuation.
• He underwent treatment for leukemia the last several years, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

Bryan and the 1997-8 Brother Martin City Champion Bowlling Team

A recitation of the phases of his life in no way captures the type of person he was. So we turn to his friends, colleagues, and former students, some of whom posted comments on his obituary page on nola.com.

On his faith:

• He was the eternal optimist. About two weeks before his death, I picked him up from the hospital and brought him home. He didn't even look like himself. He was in a walker and had a tube feeding him. I had to help him get in the car he was so weak. Yet, all he talked about was, "Once I get my strength back and get myself healthy, I can go back to Houston to finish the treatments." He never gave up hope. He had a lot of trust in God. Every time I talked to him, I told him, "Bryan, I'll keep praying for you." He said, "That's what's going to work." Bob Masson
• A guy who was a genuinely good man. Bryan's innocence, his naivete, you could argue, was what made Bryan Bryan. He only saw the good in everyone. Even people who did him wrong, he said, "I'm gonna pray for that person." He wasn't tarnished by anything in the world. He wasn't a skeptic when it came to people. He always assumed they had great intentions. David Rhodes

On his skill as a teacher:

• We always gave him some of the weaker classes. He'd take care of them. He could teach anything, from 8th grade Algebra I to Advanced Math. Sister Lawrence Habetz, O.Carm
• Mr. Kenner took the physics book and brought it to life. God bless Mr. Kenner, a great teacher and a great man. John Bellau '85
• The first several years we had those special math classes, they handed those to Bryan. Never so much as a complaint about anything. He taught the worst schedules and always did it with a good heart. You would think that that type of kid might be somebody who would eat Bryan alive. But in 20 years I worked with Bryan, I never once recall him ever having a discipline problem in his class. The kids immediately knew, "Mr. Kenner wants to help me. He's a good man who cares about me." Anybody so much as gets out of line in Bryan's class, the other kids wouldn't tolerate that. They had the utmost respect for him, always. He loved to teach. He loved kids. David Rhodes

On his welcoming new teachers:

• When I came home after my very first day at Brother Martin, Bryan drove over and visited with me and asked how things went that day. He stayed only about 15 minutes. "If you need anything, let me know." I'll never forget that. I didn't even recognize him since I didn't know all the teachers yet. Amazing. That was probably one of the most genuine gestures anybody has ever made as far as making you feel welcome. Bob Masson (CJ '63)
• Bryan called me before I even stepped through the door and worked at Brother Martin. He found out there was a new person coming from Warren Easton. He had a friend there; so he called and asked about me. He got my number and called and welcomed me a month before school even started. For someone to go out of his way for someone he didn't know, hadn't met yet, that made such a difference. Patricia Zimmer
• I was having a lot of trouble my first year teaching at Brother Martin. The kids were tough. Bryan came to me one day. Craig, talk quieter. If you talk quieter, they'll pay attention more to listen and they'll be a little calmer class. I did that, and it worked for the next ten years. Craig Comeaux

On his charity and friendship:

• Bryan and I were best friends since high school. He was always cheerful and warm. He remembered my birthday all these years. I last spoke with him on my birthday this year. I will miss that call. Brother Alphonse LeBlanc, F.S.C.
• He was one of the genuinely nicest people I've ever met. He had a great sense of humor. He befriended me when I was new to the faculty. He would find things in common with you to talk about. He was a big basketball fan; so we talked about the Hornets a lot. Dr. Stephen Tucker
• I don't think I ever heard the man say anything negative about anybody. He might complain in general about things. But I don't ever remember him mentioning anyone's name. Bob Masson
• Such a gentle soul. He was great about accepting your help when he needed it and helping you when you needed it. I told him once, "You have such a kind heart." He would come up to me and say, "I remember, I have a kind heart." He had everyone who was his friend on a rotation, and every once in a while he'd give you a call. Patricia Zimmer
• Your friends at World Deli will surely miss you, your laugh, your smiles, your jokes. We are so happy we became such good friends. I know you are similing down on us from heaven. Bonnie, Wendy, Christy, and Kelli
• When I left Brother Martin, I was looking for a teaching job. He heard of an opening at Rummel and called the Assistant Principal and said, "I know a great teacher you might want to hire." And I got the job there. Craig Comeaux
• Bryan never failed to call me on my birthday. He always had my back. He encouraged me. "You're a good teacher, keep it up." Bryan was always there for me, always. David Rhodes