Kevin Brian Covert

Kevin Brian Covert was born in Painesville, Ohio, June 14, 1955. When he was young, Kevin was known by his middle name Brian. Kevin became his preferred name later in life. Kevin was one of 5 children, he was the youngest child by far. His oldest brother, Frances, was his senior by over 20 years. 

Kevin’s family moved frequently and he spent parts of childhood in San Diego, CA, Minneapolis, MN, and New Britain, CT. Kevin once said that the frequent moves were due to his father’s “itchy feet''. Switching schools often was tough on Kevin; he left high school without graduating and spent his youth traveling. Kevin took odd jobs including cooking at a Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kevin eventually ended up in Utah, where he met and married Hilary Johnson. Their first child, Jasen Matthew Covert, was born in Kenilworth, UT, in 1980. The couple eventually bought a home in Price, UT, where Kevin’s daughter, Krystal Lynn Covert, was born in 1982. When the coal mine Kevin worked for shut down the family moved to Connecticut and New York, eventually moving to Wisconsin to be near Hilary’s family. 

In Wisconsin, Kevin became an Operational Engineer, drilling and blasting. Kevin would continue this career for the rest of his working days. While his kids were young Kevin spent most of his time working hard or spending time with his family. He loved camping, gardening, and having backyard campfires: all with his family. He loved to feed the birds in his yard and could coax a chickadee to eat seed out of his hand. 

Kevin and Hilary eventually divorced and Kevin married Michelle Tritt. Kevin and Michelle enjoyed going to bluegrass festivals. It was with Michelle that Kevin started organizing and promoting the Bluegrass Adventure and Roots Festival in Algoma, WI. The festival was a labor of love that captured something special about beautiful Wisconsin September weather, great music, and friends and family spending time together. The festival lasted 10 years, even after Kevin suffered a spinal cord injury in 2009.

Kevin’s spinal cord injury was caused by a fall that almost took his life. He spent several months in the hospital and in rehabilitation. Kevin was able to return home after his accident thanks to his hard work and the support of Michelle. Kevin’s accident was one of those tragedies that are hard to make sense of. What emerged from the accident was proof of Kevin’s indomitable spirit and good nature. Life would be hard for Kevin after his accident but he remained positive and kind. After his accident, Kevin continued to drive himself, go camping, and organize his bluegrass festival. He loved to take photographs with his drone and look at the stars with his telescope. 

Some things that Kevin loved: his dog, Pollo, his cat, Gary, feeding the birds, looking at the stars, taking all day to slow-cook some delicious ribs, sharing food with friends, watching a baseball game, all sweet treats, and cracking an inappropriate joke. He loved learning and had a natural curiosity that he made sure to pass on to his children. He was a great father, grandfather, and father-in-law.

In lieu of flowers or cards please consider donating in Kevin’s name to the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Please visit: Christopherreeve.org/donate

Survived by: Son, Jasen Matther Covert and Daughter in Law, Deidra Covert. Grand daughters: Kaitlyn, Onna, and Abigail Covert. along wiith his Daughter, Krystal Lynn Klapatch (Covert and, Son in law, David Klapatch; Grandson, Lewin Matthew Klapatch; and Grandpuppy, Gus Klapatch.