Agents of ARC: Bob KuyKendall
Our agents are amazing and we love to talk about their great accomplishments, both in real estate and around the community. Bob KuyKendall’s story is one of faith, perseverance and teamwork, as he sought to summit the world’s tallest freestanding mountain just two years after going through kidney donation surgery.
In 2015, after four years of struggling through kidney dialysis, Greg Hasberry received a kidney from his living donor, Bob KuyKendall. Following the transplant, Bob wanted to generate awareness, but found that his and Greg’s story would need something more to inspire attention.
After both men saw successful recoveries after surgery, they decided it was time to face their own mountains – both mentally and physically. They chose to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain and one of the world’s famous “Seven Summits”. They hoped the journey would raise awareness of kidney disease, organ donation and especially, living organ donation.
Bob (left), with his son Cade (middle) and Greg (right)
Although Greg did not end up making the climb due to unrelated health issues, Bob, along with his son Cade, rounded up a team of ten individuals to conquer the summit. That’s how the organization, “Team Mountain” was founded. Each member of the team had his or her own charity – support mission during the climb.
In May of 2017, the first ever Team Mountain trek of Mount Kilimanjaro was undertaken. They reached the summit on June 8 at 11 p.m. after a long journey up the 19,341-foot mountain. After the successful climb, Bob and Cade have pledged to summit Mount Kilimanjaro with Team Mountain each year. If you would like more information about the 2018 climb, feel free to contact info@TeamMountain.org.
Bob is now transitioning from a 25-year career in federal law enforcement to the private sector and continuing to serve others through a real estate license rather than a badge. To Bob, this is another great example of the Team Mountain concept. A real estate agent is in the business of bringing about and overseeing a successful real estate transaction – legally, ethically and to the benefit of his or her client. He considers this a tool to allow for continued service to others and to fund what he truly believes is part of his legacy and life purpose. Click here to view a short video of Team Mountain’s first climb.
