In Memoriam: Joel W. Kendrick

Recently the TAPPI Community, Western Michigan University, industry associates, friends, and of course family experienced a great loss in the unexpected passing of WMU Pilot Plant's General Manager, Joel Kendrick, due to a medical condition.

Joel Kendrick, the general manager of the Western Michigan University Pilot Plants and a leader in boosting recycling efforts in the fast food and packaging industries, passed away this past week.

Our prayers and sympathy are extended to all his family and loved ones. Joel was very instrumental in ensuring that the pilot plants provided outstanding service and solutions to their customers — WMU would like us to be assured that the pilot plant's qualified and dedicated staff will continue to provide this same level of service in his honor.

Kendrick was named operations manager of what was then the newly completed Paper Coating Pilot Plant in 2003. Prior to being named to that post, he had an extensive background in the paper industry, having served 12 years with Allied Paper. He also had 14 years of experience at WMU, serving six years as a lab manager at the University's paper pilot plant.

In 2009, the University's Paper, Recycling and Coating Pilot Plants teamed up with Global Green and its Coalition for Resource Recovery to bring the recycling effort to the fast food and packaging industries, starting with Starbucks coffee cups.

Kendrick participated in forums and workshops, presenting the WMU Pilot Plants' recycling certification process to executives in the paper, recycling and fast food industries. Under his leadership, the pilot plants became a key player in defining the process for certifying fiber-based products for repulpability and recyclability and helping retailers, converters and paper mills attain recycling certification.

Western Michigan University Pilot Plants have had the good fortune to have been led by Joel Kendrick for many years. Joel held extensive contacts in the industry and had a world of hands-on practical and experimental knowledge. Joel made great contributions to the industry and to environmental groups. Under his direction, WMU's reputation for research and development in new products and recycling grew to be recognized as a global center of excellence.

Joel loved his family and God more than anything and filled his free time watching his beloved Green Bay Packers, golfing, gardening, traveling with his wife, and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Joel was preceded in death by his father and father-in-law.

On March 19, 1983 Joel married the former Elisabeth J. Donovan, who survives him. Also surviving him are a son, Christopher Payne of Portage; a daughter, Lauren Kendrick of Grand Rapids; two grandchildren, Jacob and Keeley Payne; two brothers, Jeff (Peg) Kendrick and Tim Kendrick; mother, Mary Ann Kendrick; mother-in-law, L.J. Mayer; three sisters-in-law, Sandy (Bob) Maxwell, Pat (Mike) Martin and Christine (Jaime) Mata; and several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place.

A gathering of family and friends was held last Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at a Memorial Chapel. His memorial service was held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. All future memorials should be directed to the West Michigan Cancer Center or to the American Heart Association.

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