by Jerry Lager
The first conversation with Dr. Kennedy revealed a unique and personal vision. A dedicated historian, Dr. Kennedy had spent years studying the Templar Knights during his travels through Greece and Jerusalem. To honor his family and lifelong interests, he envisioned a classical monument incorporating a full Templar Knight statue—complete with authentic chain mail, armor, and castle remnants.
More than a symbol of the past, the knight had deep emotional significance. His wife, lovingly referring to him as her ‘knight in shining armor,’ inspired a design that would become both a family memorial and a deeply personal homage.
The finished monument stands an impressive 144” x 42” x 65”, combining steeled Imperial Gray granite and Jet Black granite. Black granite was selected to allow various color tones with polished, steeled and honed finishes. The chain mail armor was hand etched into the polished surfaces. Rough rock pitch finishes were used to create the look of remnants from a castle wall. Steeled gray granite was used for the tablet subbase with raised letter family and lower base.
The design took several months to finalize and fabrication time was over a year after design approval. The finished statue projects a medieval aesthetic true to Dr. Kennedy’s vision.