Bernard Kent “Kent” Bainbridge, age 73, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, surrounded by family. The Tri-State Cremation Center is assisting the family. A private family memorial ceremony will be held at a later date.

Kent was born on February 8, 1950, in New Hampton, Iowa, to Bernard and Faye Evelyn (Bever) Bainbridge. He graduated from Eldora High School in 1968, where he still holds the pole-vaulting record. In 1969, Kent was newly employed by the phone company and was transferred to Dubuque where he met his future wife, Mary Ellen Mengler. They were married on June 24, 1972.  Kent spent his working years as a telephone installer/repairman for Northwestern Bell, Qwest, and finally Century link before retiring in July of 2007, after over 36 years of service.

Kent was a cherished and loving life partner to his wife, Mary, for over 50 years. He was a father, grandpa, son, uncle and brother, and friend who was loved for his intelligence and wit, his laughter, and his wonderful and often unconventional sense of humor. Throughout his life, Kent demonstrated integrity, patience, persistence, and resiliency. He accepted the unbelievable challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease for 8 years with humor, grace, and dignity.

Kent loved adventure, making people laugh, and scaring the daylights out of people every chance he got. He loved fly-fishing, bicycled across Iowa 18 summers, jumped out of airplanes, and loved riding his Harley.  He was able to do a standing backflip into his 50’s and did his last one standing on concrete in his 40’s. He won the gold medal in his age group at the Iowa games for snowboarding in his 50’s. Kent enjoyed gardening, hiking, garage sales, road trips, spending time with family at the cabin, and playing Frisbee with “the best dogs ever”, Skippy and Blue.

A supportive and loving father to his sons, Dan and Chris, he took great pride in their accomplishments and achievements. Some of his sons’ favorite memories are going on road trips, riding bicycles and motorcycles, fly-fishing with their dad, and Ragbrai. When helping their dad with home improvement projects and building the family cabin, they learned a lot about the pride he took in his work and his artistic attention to detail.

He was a loving grandpa to his granddaughter, Isabella, and was easily persuaded to stop for ice cream due to sweet tooth issues on both of their parts, enjoyed visits to bookstores, her orchestra performances, and appreciated that she knew what songs to play to help him “feel like dancing” (Rocky Racoon, Great Balls of Fire, Baby’s Got Back, I’ve Got Ants in My Pants).

Kent was dearly loved by those he leaves behind. Those who remain to honor his memory include his wife, Mary; his son, Dan (Erin Lee Jones) Bainbridge, New York, his son, Chris Bainbridge, Dubuque, IA; his granddaughter, Isabella Bainbridge of Dubuque; his brother, Robert (Rosie) Bainbridge, Corpus Christi, Texas; his sister Barbara (Mike) Carr, of Marshall, Texas; and numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Kent was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Donna Rapier.

A special thank you to Dr. Kirkendahl, and his nurse, Kate, for their support and care over the years. Also, to the wonderful people at Hospice of Dubuque for their professional and compassionate care of Kent, and his family during the last year and a half.

In remembrance of Kent’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Hospice of Dubuque at www.hospiceofdubuque.org/donation

Online condolences may be shared with Kent’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com