Kendall R. Hastings, 69, passed away on October 20, 2022 peacefully at home in Florida with his loving wife, Linda. Kendall was born in Geneva, Illinois on April 3, 1953. He is survived by his wife Linda (Watson) of 43 years, his mother Jacqueline Hastings of Bloomington, IL. Loving father of Kirstin (Jeffery) Murphy, and Brittany (Anthony) Stefani. Proud grandfather to Connor, Ryan, Wesley, and Kyla. Kendall is also survived by his brother Cloyd and sister-in-law Dianne Hastings. He is preceded in death by his father Lyle Hastings and his son Kyle Hastings.

Kendall graduated from the University of Illinois in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and soon after a master’s degree in music education. Kendall continued his education and received a master’s degree in administration. He was an educator in District 214 for 36 years where he was the orchestra director and taught a variety of music classes. During his career he took his orchestra to travel and perform all throughout Europe starting in 1984 up until he retired in 2008. He directed the pit for numerous musicals at both Elk Grove and Rolling Meadows High Schools and also ran the concessions for many years at home sporting events for Rolling Meadows High School.   

Kendall loved music, traveling, history, and most of all his family and friends. He shared his love of trains with all of his grandsons and became all four of his grandchildren’s first babysitter. He was humbly proud of all his family and was always able to light up a room with his humor and love. Kendall will be remembered most by his musical ability, humor and kind, loving heart.   

Memorial visitation will be conducted at Kahle-Moore Funeral Home from 3:00-5:00pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to the University of Illinois, Illinois Summer Youth Music Scholarship Support Fund: https://music.illinois.edu/give-now. The Illinois Summer Youth Music Scholarship Support Fund assists in efforts to reach more schools, communities and students where Kendall can continue to reach students through his love of music and education.