Kevin S. Wardell

Kevin Stuart Wardell, 74, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on February 26, 2026. He was born on May 19, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. Kevin graduated from Marina High School, Huntington Beach California in 1969. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1972, and a master’s degree in administration in 1975 both from the University of California Irvine. In 1976 he earned a master’s degree in health administration from Duke University.

Kevin had a distinguished career in healthcare leadership that spanned more than four decades across five states. He moved to Louisville in 2003, to become Chief Administrative Officer of Norton Hospital and concluded his career as Chief Administrative Officer of the Norton Cancer Institute, retiring in 2016.

Service to community was central to Kevin’s life. He served on numerous boards and was board chair of Hosparus Health and Jefferson Community and Technical College. He was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Louisville, where he was Club President from 2014 to 2015 and received a Rotary Lifetime Service Award in 2025. He also served on hospital association boards in Illinois, Texas, and Kentucky. He was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and was ACHE–Kentucky Senior Executive of the Year in 2013.

Kevin was a graduate of the Leadership Louisville Class of 2005 and a Bingham Fellow in 2008. He was a board member of Leadership Louisville and in retirement participated in their Encore program providing consulting services to nonprofit organizations. A life-long Episcopalian, Kevin was an active member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Louisville and served on the vestry.

Kevin will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and member of his community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Patricia Wardell.

Kevin is survived by Linda, his beloved wife of over 50 years; sons, Brandon (Jessica) and Justin (Madeleine); sister, Jean Garcia (Ronald); and grandchildren, William, Cecilia, and Elliot.

A celebration of life service will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 330 North Hubbards Lane, Louisville Kentucky. Visitation at the church will begin at 9:30 am with the service following visitation at 11:00 am.  Burial will take place after the service in the church's memorial garden.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Hosparus Health, Jefferson Community and Technical College, the Rotary Fund of Louisville, or the charity of your choice.

To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Guestbook" feature below.