Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 3, 2026

CHARLOTTE - Richard Francis Kane was a man of understated warmth, with a quick wit, and a strong sense of gratitude for the blessings of his life – his wife, Hanna and his three children, Peggy, Lee and Ellen, being top among those.

Born on August 6, 1944, the youngest of Arthur and Helen Kane’s eight children, Dick grew up in Syracuse, NY, but spent his summers on Cape Cod, a beach boy from the start. He had a Catholic parochial school education, then attended Boston College, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Business. 

The next three years were spent in the U.S. Navy, including one year on the USS Sanctuary, a hospital ship, serving off the South Vietnamese coast. He took comfort in the friendships he formed with the other officers and the medical staff on board the ship.

Dick earned his law degree from the University of Florida, before moving to Raleigh to work for the N.C. Department of Justice. There he met Hanna Powers, and together they moved to Charlotte where they raised their three children. An investment in his children’s activities was then balanced with his growing career.

Dick practiced labor and employment law with the law firm of Blakeney & Alexander in Charlotte, and later with McGuireWoods following the firms’ merger. He loved the practice of law - the problem-solving, the stewardship of clients, the art of negotiation and the pursuit of common ground. He retired from Moore and Van Allen in 2009 after a career defined by dedication, diligence, and humility.

The family found a faith home in Charlotte at Myers Park United Methodist Church.  Dick also served with commitment on the boards of the Parish Ministry Fund at Duke Divinity School, offering training, fellowships and leadership development to United Methodist clergy and church leaders, the McLeod Centers for Wellbeing (formerly Drug Education Center) and Youth Homes, Inc.

Retirement allowed Dick and Hanna to spend more time at the family home on Bald Head Island, boating, golfing, and fishing, in the company of his large, boisterous family. He nurtured his long-time friendships through travel, on the golf course, and with a glass of scotch in the evenings.  He read voraciously for pleasure and especially appreciated his years with his book club friends.  He was delighted with each and every one of his grandchildren and was so grateful that his children chose to live in close proximity, allowing for frequent gatherings.

Dick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Johanna (“Hanna”) Powers Kane, of Charlotte; their three children – Peggy Thies (Charles) of Charlotte, Lee Kane (Dawn) of Durham, N.C., and Ellen Mark (Caylor) of Charlotte, and their nine grandchildren – Powers, Frances and John Thies; Hayley, Logan and Vivian Kane, and Johanna, Thomas and Reilly Mark.

Surviving siblings are Arthur Kane Jr. (Pauline), Thomas Kane (Toula), and Judith Hibbs.  He is also survived by in-laws from both sides, who became best friends as well as family, and by nearly three dozen nieces and nephews.   

He was predeceased by four siblings – Robert Kane, Paul Kane, John Kane and Nancy Donnellan.

A service to celebrate Dick’s life will be at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road in Charlotte. The family will receive friends at Jubilee Hall following the service.

A gift in his memory can be made to Honduras Mission Fund, Society for the Propagation of the Faith, P.O. Box 1730, Springfield, Mass. 01102; or the Mission Fund at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28207.

When the cancer diagnosis was confirmed, Dick navigated the path to acceptance with grace.  The family is grateful for the care and kindness shown by VIA Health Partners Hospice Care of Charlotte and by Dr. Patricia Kropf and her caring staff at Novant Health Cancer Institute.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.