Ken Trent, Always A Giver

Ken Trent worked where chaos gathered. But wherever Trent stood, calm stood beside him. For 22 years, Trent, who died Monday at age 67, was director of Spokane’s Volunteers of America. His days were filled with others needing something - shelter, clothing, food, rehab, love, attention.

Trent willingly served the chronically under-served in our community. He did so without complaint, without bragging, without judgment, without the need for accolades. He was a quiet, gentle man who did his work because it was there to be done. He raised three young daughters alone (after his wife died of cancer) in the same way.

He died too soon. He had retired less than a year ago. A friend once said of Trent: “He’s a doer, not a talker.” We wish there had been more years of Ken Trent’s doing in the world.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rebecca Nappi/For the editorial board