Kennan Michael Blehm

Kennan Michael Blehm born, along with his twin brother Reggan, July 11, 1982 at Poudre Valley Hospital, Fort Collins Colorado. Growing up North West of Wellington Colorado on a farm, attended Eyestone Elementary, Wellington Junior High and graduated “IB” International Baccalaureate, Poudre High School class 2001. With a year of credits from IB, Kennan received Bachelor of Science degree, Computer Science, from Colorado State University 2004. Recruited before College graduation, by LSI Corporation in Boulder Colorado and after travel in Europe, Kennan started his Tech Career Journey as a Computer Engineer July 2004.

Living on the farm around crops, livestock, riding and caring for his ponies at a young age. Along with horses and livestock, taught him responsibility, developed a work ethic and gained confidence. Kennan Twice was Junior All Around at the Larimer County Junior Rodeo. His experience handling the rural and agriculture challenges crossed over to the world of technology, building software and firmware for storage tech companies in the Silicon Valley whom are now using products he helped build nationally. Reggan remembers “He was always a step ahead, growing up as twins, we looked at things differently but in growing older, we both were able to see and understand the others perspective and his perspective has been more valuable to me than any other I can think of. Kennan’s ability to articulate his thoughts and perspectives, is a huge reason I am able to be as successful today and will forever utilize and share with others”.

Early on, Kennan’s passions guided him in his journey finding a career path, setting goals, experiencing accomplishments, pursuit of hobbies and traveling. Starting with the Odyssey of the Mind Teams in Elementary through High School, Kennan’s interest moved more towards academics, playing piano, cello and musical theater. He was part of the invited Wellington Junior High Show Choir to Disney Land in Florida. Highlight at Poudre High School was “Pippen” in the musical Pippen. Highlight at Colorado State University, being Freddie Trumper in the musical Chess.

In 2007 LSI Corporation allowed Kennan to relocate to LSI Corporation, Milpitas CA (Silicon Valley) where he had opportunities to be in Musicals and Theater. A unique exciting role was the “trick roper “in Will Rogers Follies January 2009. Kennan’s Grandfather Pete Simmons had also had a role as trick roper in a Will Rogers Follies production, Pappa taught Kennan the tricks with the rope. January 2010 the discovery of a Brain Tumor, Oligodendroglioma, after a seizure after Christmas 2009, started the, maintain journey of cancer treatment. A true testament and inspiration to all of us, this disease diagnosis, did not waiver him from what he wanted to do. Over the next Sixteen years, Kennan took in stride 3 Craniotomies, Radiation, 2 Gamma Knife Radiations, Oral Chemos, MRIs and Oncology visits through University California San Francisco. Never once did any of us hear him complain, he accepted, part of his life was “cancer treatment”. Fall of 2010 he was hired as a Sr. Firmware Applications Engineer Enterprise and Storage Division at PMC Sierra, Sunnyvale CA, Kennan was part of a Team that was taken over by Microsemi Corporation, then by Microchip Technology, San Jose location. During this time Kennan continued to accept roles in musicals. A role he had his eye on, to sing, was Frankie/Young Soldier/Guard in the musical Parade in Fall of 2011. Kennan’s last musical was a fun role of Mal Beineke in the Addams Family 2015. Kennan was a believer and thankful for our Savior Jesus, was an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was called upon to speak and sing often. Kennan loved to travel, trips were to New York to experience Broadway, England, Scotland, Japan, Abu Dhabi UAE, Stavanger Norway and Emerald Isle NC, to visit with and make new friends.

With great excitement Kennan accepted a Storage Engineer IO Development, Lenovo, Morrisville NC, started April 1, 2025. Anticipation to start a new position, build a house and be with longtime friends in a new exciting area, was the fresh start Kennan wanted. All was going well, transfer of medical care to Duke University, building a new house, new places to go see then the Oligodendroglioma disease changed to LMD (leptomeningeal disease) April 2026. Kennan chose Hospice, at his apartment with his mother as caregiver, then transported to Hock Family Pavilion, Durham NC, 24-hour, skilled nursing care. His Mother was with him as Jesus came for Kennan and watched him go.

As Kennan went through sixteen years of treatment, bouncing back after every treatment thrown at him, Reggan aligned the treatments with a quote from Katie Segal as Peggy Bundy

“Did you miss me? With every bullet I need a bigger gun!” From a favorite show Reggan and Kennan watched growing up

A few final phrases spoken from Kennan-

“If you want something put a plan together and do it. Work hard and make sure you leave time to enjoy all the things that are out there, to enjoy. Both are equally important and one without the other is waste.”

“I’ve run the gamut. A to Z. Three cheers and dammit, C’est la vie. I got through all of last year And I’m here. Lord knows, at least I was there, And I’m here! Look who’s here! I’m still here!”

Kennan leaves behind his Father Mike Blehm, Mother Laquitta Blehm, Brother Reggan Blehm, Grandmother Leslie Simmons, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and many Dear Friends, LDS Family, Co-workers and Theater Family.

Memorials may be given to:

Duke Home Care & Hospice

12 Moore Drive, Suite 200

Durham NC 27703

Online giving https://www.givetodukeathome.org