Kenneth Esse D. Elbert 8/21/1954 -11/18/2024
On a warm summer day in August 1954, where the Mississippi River flows, East St. Louis welcomed Kenneth Esse D Elbert into the world. Blessed with a vibrant spirit and great sense of humor. Kenny’s early days were spent amidst the bustling corridors of Lincoln High School. Yet, it was the humble embrace of The Orr-Weathers that cradled his fondest memories.
Young Kenneth, earned his GED to join the Illinois Central Railroad’s distinguished ranks. As a young Black man, pride swelled in his chest at securing such a respected position. But the era’s darkness cast long shadows—racism walked boldly in broad daylight.
Whenever trains whistled in the distance, Kenneth’s mind would drift back to those bitter memories. His white coworkers wielded racial slurs like weapons, holding him to impossible standards never asked of others. Though the job brought opportunity and family pride, each shift left deeper wounds. His natural gift for connection, born from a profound desire to belong, clashed against walls of prejudice.
Shift after shift, he’d clock out carrying the weight of rejection, harassment, and despair—struggling to comprehend humanity’s capacity for cruelty. In later years, regret colored his voice when speaking of those times, shouldering blame for not weathering the storm of indignities that barred him from a lifelong career. Fifty years later, in retirement some family members still called him a failure. Going on about who he “could have been” if only his will had been stronger than the times. Yet the fault lay not in his strength, but in a system designed to break spirits as bright as his.
The open road crooned its liberating melody, and Kenny—restless spirit yearning for more—answered its call. Behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, with his friend Marion riding shotgun, he found freedom. Each mile marker put distance between him and the weight of unmet expectations. The highways offered their own kind of redemption. At the helm of his rolling fortress, Kenny carved new stories across America’s sprawling canvas. In the end, perhaps the road itself became his truest companion, offering both escape and discovery—a path where expectations fell away and adventure waited around every bend.
But it was at The Adam’s Mark Hotel—now the Hyatt Regency St. Louis—where Kenny’s true calling emerged as a Food and Beverage Steward. Here, all his natural gifts and talents aligned like stars finding their constellation, fulfilling his deep-seated need for purpose. Like a master craftsman, he carved paths through mountains of tasks, his work ethic burning like a steady flame that illuminated the difference between simply doing a job and crafting excellence.
Kenny’s career reached new heights when he joined Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas as a Food & Beverage Steward. True to his character, he swiftly ascended to First Food and Beverage Steward—but where others saw career peaks, Kenny only saw new mountains to climb.
In the vibrant world of this grand hotel, he transformed everyday operations into a masterful performance. Kenny was a maestro, orchestrating a dance of efficiency and excellence. He developed protocols and nurtured talent, celebrating those who excelled and gently guiding others to find their true paths. Firing someone was a burden he bore with a heavy heart, always mindful of the family affected.
His straightforward approach, unwavering standards, and natural grace created an exceptional harmony of efficiency and hospitality. Kenny’s meticulous attention to detail, combined with his mathematical aptitude and quick intelligence, elevated routine interactions into memorable experiences. These qualities paved the way to his crowning achievement: becoming Food and Beverage Manager at Caesar’s Palace.
His management style became the stuff of legend in Las Vegas hospitality circles. Loyal to the family he’d built at Caesar’s Palace, Kenny declined offers from competing establishments. However, he delighted in treating his own family to the Strip’s finest restaurants, where he was always welcomed as an honored guest. His reputation had grown so distinguished that major hotels actively sought his expertise, inviting him to evaluate their restaurants and staff—a testament to his mastery.
Even in his final days, Kenny’s strength and positivity shone brightly as shadows lengthened. His baby brother Barry witnessed this eternal flame – despite being sick and dying, Kenny’s spirit soared through pain and struggle, telling jokes and asking about others, his caring nature burning bright as ever. Such was his essence: more concerned with lifting others’ spirits than dwelling in his own twilight.
Life’s stage saw Kenny play many roles—politician, journalist, preacher and aspiring comedian. Each role was a chapter in his story, a testament to his boundless curiosity and zest for life. In retirement, he found solace in the simple joy of owning a shoe shine stand, a reflection of his enduring love for elegance and style.
Kenny was an old-school gentleman. Young men called him “O.G.” or “Shoeshine.” His brothers and peers affectionately dubbed him “Kenny Dog,” “Ken Dog,” “Dog” or by his middle name “Esse.” Every day was an occasion to present his best self to the world. Kenny’s appearance was a testament to his pride, each detail meticulously attended. He shaved with a straight razor and cut his hair. He hemmed his own pants, pressed his clothes every day, and of course, made sure his shoes were shined. After retirement, jeans were a rarity in his wardrobe. Kenny was always impeccably dressed, whether for a board meeting or a simple grocery run. Pride in appearance wasn’t vanity; it was a Black tradition, learned in his youth, when a young man’s dreams were measured in tailored suits.
Reflecting, Kenny would sing Frankie Beverly and Maze’s “Joy and Pain”—a song that seemed to echo his life. The soulful lyrics, “Joy and pain, sunshine and rain,” perfectly captured his journey, with both profound losses and the warmest depths of love.
Kenny painted joy wherever he went. Laughter was his gift to the world. He delighted in feeding others, sharing stories, and engaging in spirited games of dominoes. His tales were legendary, his laughter infectious, and his dance steps a celebration of life itself. Kenny’s smile was a warm embrace, a beacon of light that illuminated souls, making strangers into friends with a warmth that knew no bounds. When he danced to the sweet sounds of 70’s groove bands, the world seemed to dance with him. His signature smile will be dearly missed.
On November 18, 2024, Kenneth Esse D Elbert joined the ancestors. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Mary Ann Elbert, his father Esse D. Elbert, brothers Timothy and Terry Elbert. Yet, his legacy lives on in the hearts of those he leaves behind: his daughter Nik Nicholson, his great aunt Finch, brothers James (Butch), Barry, best friend Joe Micelotta and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews who will carry his spirit forward.
In Kenny’s world, every moment was a celebration, every stranger a friend-to-be, and every day an opportunity to spread joy. As the sun sets on Kenny’s earthly journey, his spirit dances among the stars, a testament to a life lived with passion, humor, and unwavering determination. His smile, now etched in memory, continues to warm hearts and touch souls, a testament to the beauty and grace he brought to the world, and a life magnificently lived.
