On June 5, 2023, Harvey J. Kenfield, who was 95 years old and lived in Ogallala, passed away in good health at his residence. On March 6, 1928, in Albion, Nebraska, in the United States of America, Harvey Kenfield and his identical twin brother Howard were born to John and Ella (Fritzen) Kenfield.
Harvey received his high school diploma from Brule in the year 1946. Soon after that, Harvey received a summons to duty, and he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Korea throughout his time in the military. After Harvey’s return, he began working at TRW, where he remained until his retirement in 1988, which was 42 years.
Within the city of Grant, Nebraska, on October 12, 1974, Harvey tied the knot with Glenda Lee Stephenson. Harvey was able to have two children, Scott and Melinda, as a result of that union. Over the course of their lives, Harvey and his twin brother Howard shared a close and enduring friendship.
During their time together, they constructed a number of mansions in the Ogallala region, one of which was a stunning residence for their mother. The brothers were extremely conscientious about the maintenance of their properties, which resulted in yards that were exquisitely designed and meticulously maintained.
Within their one-of-a-kind collection of Indian artefacts, petrified wood, and other rare artefacts, Harvey and Howard’s artistic abilities showed brightly and showcased their artistic abilities. They were motivated to construct Petrified Wood Pictures and Music Boxes to contribute to a collection that can only be characterised as a marvel of world-class quality. Their admiration for the Midwest and its historic barns was the driving force behind their creations.
The culmination of the brothers’ artistic journey was the establishment of the Kenfield Petrified Wood Gallery in the year 2000. Harvey and Howard’s personal collection of artwork was donated to the gallery at that time.
Due to the fact that his enthusiasm for collecting has not faded over the course of more than 65 years, he has garnered the respect and admiration of other artists and collectors. Through their significant gifts to the Gallery, which is now managed by a non-profit organisation that the brothers founded, the legacy of the brothers continues to be treasured by the community.
