Kevin Tremaine Stoddard

October 7, 1981 – February 28, 2018

Kevin Tremaine Stoddard, 36, of Bethesda, MD and Ann Arbor, MI, of complications from bipolar disorder. Kevin was the talented, charismatic and much beloved son of Rob and Barbra Stoddard and loyal brother of Rick Stoddard. He waged a heroic 18-year struggle against the effects of bipolar disorder while enjoying immense success as an athlete, coach, educator, and professional. 

As a young man, Kevin was a formidable athlete. A championship swimmer in Montgomery County, MD; captain of his high school swim team in Swampscott, MA; and later an All-American swimmer at Cherry Creek High School in suburban Denver, CO, Kevin went on to swim for Ocean County College in Tom’s River, NJ, and Towson University in Towson, MD. A running enthusiast, Kevin completed many marathons including the Marine Corps Marathon, the San Francisco Marathon, the Baltimore Marathon, many other neighborhood fun runs, and led a running club in Bethesda, MD. He also volunteered his strength to Habitat for Humanity and helped build houses for the homeless.

Among Kevin’s passions was lifeguarding, which he performed with joy and distinction for several summer seasons as a member of the Beach Patrol in Seaside Park, NJ, as well as coaching and lifeguarding at community swimming pools in Colorado and Maryland. He was also versatile and gifted in basketball, baseball, softball, and football, and participated in many sports leagues throughout the course of his life. He also loved concerts, listening to music and performing, especially with his school vocal ensembles and in the church choir at Christ Lutheran Church in Bethesda.

Kevin was a talented educator, graduating with a BS in Elementary Education at Towson University, and working over the years as a teacher, tutor, and coach for young people and children. His later professional career also included distinguished work as a retail sales manager in recreational and sporting goods, office manager, and paralegal. Kevin enrolled in the MSW program at Catholic University completing one year toward a masters degree in social work and most recently he was extremely proud and fond of his work as a counselor helping low-income residents to qualify for quality community housing in a position at Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor, MI.

Kevin benefitted for many years from the guidance and care of countless health care, mental health, and social work professionals, as well as from the unconditional love of his family. In the last few years of his life, he took the most joy from being “Uncle Kevin” to his beloved little niece and nephew, Joey and Jay, both of whom adored him and cherished his attention. 

Against overwhelming odds, Kevin was strong of character, intelligent and articulate, devoted to friends and family, empathetic, warm and optimistic. He became a mentor to many friends, particularly to those in the treatment and recovery communities through which he passed. Golden memories of his warmth, smile, grace, and love will be an eternal blessing to his family, friends, loved ones and all who studied, swam, lifeguarded, taught, and worked with him over the years.

Kevin Tremaine Stoddard is survived by his parents, Robert and Barbra Stoddard of Bethesda, MD; his grandmother, Josephine Frances Stoddard of Lansdale, PA; his brother and sister-in-law, Richard Stoddard and Catherine Leigh Johnson; adoring aunts and uncles, Susan; Tom & Marie, Francie & Don, Joe, Sue, and Jan & Mike; cousins Stephen, John, Megan, Lauren, Joe, Sarah, Lily and Matt. 

His March 17 memorial service will be private but friends and family are encouraged to contact his immediate family for details. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made here to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) in Kevin’s memory

or to your local NAMI chapter.

Thank you for your support.

 The Stoddard Family

• Since 1987, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) has awarded more than $380 million to fund more than 5,500 grants to more than 4,500 scientists around the world.

• According to the Rand Corporation, BBRF is the nation’s top non-governmental funder of mental health research grants.

• The mission of the Foundation is to alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

• 100% of contributions for research are invested in research grants to neuroscientists thanks to the generous support of two family foundations which cover BBRF operating expenses.

• The Foundation only funds scientists whose research is reviewed and recommended by a world-renowned Scientific Council including Nobel Prize winners and chairs of psychiatric departments.

• Learn more about the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.