Dr. Dr. Kent Edward Portney

Kent was such a bright light at the Bush School. HIs positive and caring spirit infected us all for the good. He will be sorely missed.

Kent Portney contributed in so many ways to the quality of the Bush School community. He addressed vital questions affecting the quality of life and public policy through his research. His quiet but caring and thoughtful way with all of us made him an valuable colleague and friend.

Kent was a friend, a collaborator, and a teacher. I learned so much from him. We worked together at Tufts and kept in touch when I visited College Station. He showed me the best BBQ place and talked about music and his research. His dedication to students, collaborators, and making the world a better cleaner place was true and inspiring. I will miss him and my heart goes out to his family!

I was very blessed to cross paths with Kent. His generosity, curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to tackling practical problems enriched the Bush School and inspired me to stretch my own boundaries. I will always be grateful to Kent for his thoughtful mentoring. My thoughts are with his family.

Such a great loss.

Kyndra and I are deeply saddened to hear of Kent’s passing. We recall fondly the opportunities we have had to break bread with Marilyn and Kent while sharing great conversation. Our hearts and our prayers go to Marilyn, Alexandra, and their family who are all searching for a way to digest this. It is our sincere hope that the love, warm thoughts, and memories shared by so many will provide some consolation to you in this difficult time.

I was so fortunate to have known Kent and enjoy his always great company. I think he was the single most industrious human being I ever met, and I will miss him as will we all

Sorry to hear of Kent’s sudden passing. Keeping your family in my prayers.

I express my deep condolences to Dr Portney’s family and friends. I and my wife Gunay very briefly had a chance to talk to Dr Portney at one of the receptions organized by the Bush School. We will be keeping you in our prayers.

Mr. Portney was a wonderful man and loving husband! My heart goes out to his family.

Kent was always such a kind and decent man with everyone whom he met – a true gentleman. It was always an uplifting part of the day to see Kent and Marilyn holding hands as they arrived together in the morning and when they left in evening. My condolences to you and your family, Marilyn.

A trip to the Portney / Santiesteban residence meant that you were likely to witness Kent in one of his many natural habitats. In front of the TV watching sports, up on a ladder building or re-building something, or in the living room re-telling childhood stories as only he could and having us in stitches, where on the other side of the room a bookcase held a sampling of his many research accomplishments.

I’m not sure how you fit all of that, and more, into one person. But I can tell you that the mortar that held it together was a kind and thoughtful soul. I am fortunate to have known Kent for over 30 years.

Although I only had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Portney once, I will always remember how he made me feel welcome at the Bush School as I was just beginning my time there. Sending thoughts, prayers, and my deepest condolences to Ms. Santiesteban and the rest of Dr. Portney’s family.

Marilyn sending you and your family my heartfelt sympathy! My heart breaks for you . Always Andréa

Dr. Kent Portney was a kindhearted man who has touched the lives of many students, myself included. Dr. Portney was always available to help people in any way he could, and he was so encouraging and supportive. I will never forget how he stopped everything he was working on to help me plan my future, and I am so grateful for his selfless guidance. I light a candle in his honor, and offer my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones.

Marilyn, I send you and your family my deepest condolences. Although I did not have the privilege of studying under the tutelage of your husband, whenever we interacted he was always pleasant, kind, and humble. May his memory be a blessing.

Kent was my friend, and I miss his presence. He was just the type of mentor I needed when I found him. Brilliant, irreverent, funny, caring, kind, and wise. I went to Kent for professional, moral, and just friendly advice. We hoped, fought, taught, and learned together. His strong voice, sharp wit, and keen sense of justice were just what this world needed, and continues to need more of. Losing you is a devastating loss, my friend. We’ll carry on in your absence, my dear friend. Much love. Rest peacefully. Thank you. For everything.

Kent was a terrific scholar and teacher, outstanding leader, and warm and welcoming spirit. In all these dimensions and many more, he was a great role model for us all. We shall miss him greatly. Marylyn, please accept deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers from Mary and me.

Kent and I arrived at Texas A&M in 2014. Our paths crossed almost immediately, and I have been blessed to count him as a colleague and friend. He has been incredibly supportive, generous with his time, and gracious in his friendship. In all his interactions, he was thoughtful and engaging. He will be deeply missed for what he has meant to so many of us, but also for a future that will be less enriching without his presence.

I’m not sure there is anyone at the Bush School more kind and generous than Kent. He would always greet people with a genuine smile and you could tell how much he loved what he did. Even more, you could see the love he had for Marilyn. I hope that you can feel the love of your Bush School family during this terrible time. We are all thinking of you, Teddy, Lexi and your extended families.

I want to pass on my deepest condolences. I first came to know Kent from our time together on TAMU’s Council of Principal Investigators. He was also kind enough to lend his expertise on sustainable communities and science policy to a number of our developing projects, and he inspired the interests of several of my students in public policy. He will be greatly missed. I am so sorry for your loss.

Kent was a mentor, friend, and colleague, who will continue to be a guiding light in all of our lives. To Marilyn and the family please know that Sharon and I hurt, emotionally and physically, for your loss and yet we smile because of his kindness, sage words, and supportive nature. He is forever remembered as our Jolly Rancher!

My heart is so broken for Kent’s family.

Kent was an excellent scholar. He always wanted to make the world a better place through his research. He was an inspiring colleague and amazing leader. Working with him was always a joy, and I learned a great deal from him. He was a true gentleman and a wonderful friend with a great sense of humor. Rest in peace, my friend. Sally and I will miss you terribly. Our thoughts are with Marilyn, Teddy, and Lexi.

I will miss stopping by Dr. Portney’s office and running into him at school in the atrium to say hello and catch up. He had such a jovial personality that always uplifted my mood. I am sad that I was unable to take a class with this wonderful man and study more under his tutelage, but I am glad that I got the chance to know Dr. Portney even if it was for a little while. As my mentor and friend Dr. Portney is in my heart and I miss him, but I know that his legacy through his family, students, and accomplishments shall live on. My deepest condolences to Dr. Portney’s wife, Mrs. Santiesteban, children, family, and close friends. He truly impacted my life in a positive way, and I consider myself fortunate to have known him. ❤️

Very sad to learn of the sudden passing of Dr. Kent Portney. During the short time that I knew him at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, at Texas A&M University, he always impressed me as a thoughtful scholar, caring teacher and warm friend. Our deepest condolences to Marilyn and family. Kent will be missed. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Joe and Linda Cerami

Kent,

I already miss you. I’ve been your daughter’s best friend for about 15 years, and you’ve been a pillar in my own life. You and Marilyn always took me in when I needed it, made me feel valued and welcome, and spent time talking to me. That’s the kind of person you are; we’ll all remember you as gentle, erudite, and funny, a true family man. We all relied on you, and this loss is too great for words. Thank you for all the love and support you’ve given us. We can never repay it.

From the moment I met Kent, I was impressed by what an accomplished individual he was. He taught and lectured on a subject I couldn’t understand. He wrote nine books, tackling problems I wasn’t astute enough to be aware even existed.

I loved our conversations, though I often found his intellect intimidating. In our exchanges, he greatly expanded my knowledge of whatever the subject of the moment – politics, the environment, economics, current events, the sciences, and of course the Holy Grail of male bonding, sports. He was one of a handful of individuals on this planet who understand the Infield Fly Rule.

Owning a century-old house in Boston, he tackled every summer a major home improvement project. He added a bathroom and remodeled another, doing his own plumbing and tile work. He regraded the back yard, which consisted of a nearly vertical hill. He installed new windows. With skill and confidence, he took on challenges a licensed architect would shy away from.

Though his accomplishments were many, I’ll remember him most for his warmth and kindness, for his giving nature and wry sense of humor.

He imparted his wisdom to Teddy and Lexi, and his unfailing love to my sister, but so much more than that – Kent used his gifts to give to the world far more than he was given. The price we pay for having known Kent is the deep sense of emptiness and loss we’re now facing.

The world has lost an amazing man. He represented the best in having a wonderful family and career. Kent celebrated his family and was always so supportive of his colleagues. He showed his love of family and promoted the research of those in his orbit. He truly cared about the world and will be so very missed. Sending all my love to Marilyn and the rest of the family.

I took Dr. Portney’s water policy class and strongly believe he was one of the best professors I have had in graduate school. His enthusiasm and desire to challenge his students was well-known and appreciated. I am so honored to have known him, even if it was only in a classroom-setting.

Kent was always a joy to be around. Whether we were talking research or just talking he always smiled and always treated everyone with respect. Great man.

Kent was a great colleague, friend, and mentor. His memory and inspiration will endure at the Bush School and among his many friends and family members.

My very heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers to the entire family.

Kent, you’ll be missed my friend. Thank you for being the person you were while on this earth. Peace and Love.

Kent was an excellent scholar, a supportive mentor, and a kind person with a perfect sense of humor. I will greatly miss his passion for impact research, his pleasant presence at social gatherings, and conversations about cars. It’s a tremendous loss for the Bush School, but his legacy will live on. My thoughts are with Marilyn and the family.

Kent was a wonderful, trusted colleague and a kind and generous person and we will miss him greatly. I’m so glad that we were able to cross paths. My condolences.

Marilyn – we are so sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing Kent “loitering” outside your office at the end of the day while you finished a student meeting. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Dr. Portney was the best kind of educator. He advocated for me, challenged me, and perhaps most importantly, taught me how to look at the world through a critical lens. He was one of the smartest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, he was also one of the kindest. I owe some of my best days in graduate school to his mentoring. My best wishes are with Marilyn & his kids & his cats.

I am so sorry for your loss. Dr.Portney always had a smile on his face And was so kind to everyone he met. My prayers go out to you and your family, Ms.Santiesteban.

We will keep your family in our prayers.

Dear Marilyn, Alexa and Teddy,
I am so sorry to hear of Kent’s death. Please accept my prayers and condolences. May the peace of Christ and God’s ever-sustaining love be with you now. With fond memories of our time together at Trinity,
Sharon

I just heard this heart-breaking information in China. I was Kent’s first research assistant at Bush School. He was so knowledgeable but humble and always a role model for me. Very appreciate for his kind help, I will always remember him.