Résumé

Kennard, along with Casey K. Jenkins, Arthur H. Silvers, and John D. Williams composed a second generation of African-American architects working in Los Angeles, CA, primarily after World War II.

Professional Activities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Professional Awards

Fellow, American Institute of Architects (FAIA).

Relocation

Born in Los Angeles, Kennard remained his whole life in the city.

His parents and three sisters lived at 533 East Walnut Street in Monrovia, CA, according to the 1930 US Census. The Kennards owned their own house, valued in the census at $3,800, comparable to surrounding properties. Immediate neighbors in the 600 block of East Walnut were primarily Mexican-American or African-American families.

In 1942, his place of residence was at 533 East Walnut Street in Monrovia, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for California, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 95, accessed 08/28/2020.)

His last residence was in the 90068 zip code of Los Angeles, CA. Kennardwas buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA.

Parents

His father was James L. Kennard, his mother, Marie L. Bryan.

Spouse

At age 28, Kennard wed Helen Z. King on 09/04/1949 in Los Angeles County, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information: Ancestry.com. California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013, accessed 08/28/2020.)

Biographical Notes

The University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA), Library recorded in its Orion 2 catalog the following about Kennard in 2004: "Robert A. Kennard was born on September 18, 1920 in Los Angeles, Calif. and received an A.A. from Pasadena Junior College in 1940 and a B.Arch. from University of Southern California in 1949. His career shows a steady rise from draftsman (as early as 1940) through architect, to owner, partner and principal in various architectural and design firms. He has been responsible for numerous major projects in California (mostly Southern Calif.), is active in a number of programs and has received many honors and awards." Forms part of: Oral History collection, Dept. of Special Collections, University Library, University of California, Los Angeles. Quotation, publication or reproduction permitted, subject to University policy. User must acknowledge the UCLA Department of Special Collections. Audio recordings also may be accessed in the UCLA Department of Special Collections by special arrangement. Summary: Kennard discusses his childhood, education, military experience and his architectural career in California. There is much discussion of Kennard's work in Richard Neutra's and Robert Alexander's firms, of his partnerships and then formation of the Kennard Design Group, of the buildings he designed and of his involvement in mentoring programs for minority architectural students." (See UCLA Library, "Robert Kennard," Orion 2 Record, accessed 06/22/2004.)

His World War II draft registration card listed Kennard as standing 6-feet, 1-inch tall, weighing 155 pounds. He had brown eyes and was listed as having a "dark brown" African-American skin tone. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for California, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 95, accessed 08/28/2020.)

SSN: 557-14-2399.

• Los Angeles, CA (Architect's Birth)
  Los Angeles, CA

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