Obituary: Patrick Kane, Community Planner

Patrick Kane, a community planner who was instrumental in the development of Reston and was still concerned about the area 50 years later, died of lung cancer on Tuesday, his 77th birthday.

Kane was the founding president of the the Reston Board of Commerce (later renamed the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce) and chair of the Chamber from 1982-86. He was chosen as Lord Fairfax by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2010 for his contributions to the community.

"Pat was a guy who had more thoughts per square inch than anyone I have ever known," said Reston founder Robert E. Simon. "He was a good man. I enjoyed his sense of humor and was impressed by his imagination."

Karen Cleveland, the chamber's first executive director, recalls first meeting Kane in the late 1980s. He was memorable then - as well as more recently - as a man with an eye patch, a handlebar mustache and a "wonderful sense of humor," Cleveland said.

"We all adored Pat," she said. "Pat so loved Reston. Even more than that, I feel like he was the conscience of Reston in many ways. He never lost his enthusiasm and desire to make Reston the best it can be.

Kane's family said in a message on the website CaringBridge.com, that he read about Reston in 1966 and was intrigued by the new, inclusive community.

"The concept of Reston was that it should be a place where everyone can live, regardless of race, creed, economic status, and it attracted resident pioneers with a keen sense if social justice," the post reads. "It has been home to Patrick and his family for 46 years."

Kane's papers about the planning and development of Reston from 1967-2002 are part of the library at George Mason University, where Kane was an adjunct professor.

Kane founded his own planning firm, KRS Associates, in Reston in 1966.  In 1973, he formed The Corporation for Community Development, which was a consortium of firms and individuals working on planning projects.  Among some of the projects: A Future of Tysons Corner, prepared for TYTRAN; a plan for the downtown area of the Town of Herndon; and an assessment of the reinvestment potential of the Lake Anne in Reston.

"Pat Kane is one of the smartest people I know," said Del. Ken Plum. "He always had a bright new idea. He understood and loved Reston as a professional planner and as a longtime resident. He was deeply involved in the life of the community and a major contributor to its success. He also had a wonderful sense of humor."

In November 2012, Kane was diagnosed with lung cancer. He has been undergoing chemotherapy and battling side effects since December, his family said.

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church in Reston at 1 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a small reception at the church following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to Gabriel Homes, Inc. Gabriel Homes, of which Kane was a co-founder, is a nonprofit organization promoting independence for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Northern Virginia.

Feel free to share a remembrance of Pat Kane in the comments below.