In Memoriam: Zachary "Reavantos" Kenny

With a heavy heart, we put together this post partially as an announcement of the passing of Stack Up Community Manager, Zachary "Reavantos" Kenny, and as a way of memorializing him with stories from the Stack Up community. There's so much to be said about Zach, aka "Reav," and his impact on our people, from our staff to our Discord community and others who knew him beyond Stack Up.

Zach found Stack Up through World of Warships and the Wargaming community in 2018, meeting our Executive Director, Stephen Machuga, through a promotional stream, and then volunteering with Stack Up's Overwatch Program after. Eventually, he became our Overwatch Program Manager and then our Community Programs Manager as Stack Up made shifts in our programming.

Zach struggled with extended medical issues after a tooth abscess caused an infection in his heart. He wanted people to know this, as he believed this knowledge would remind the Veterans among our community who think they can just push through it, that it's better to get checked out. He was the kind of guy who took what he knew and what he experienced and used that knowledge to help the Veterans among the Stack Up community.

(Be sure to swipe through the photos below.)

As the Overwatch Program Manager, Zach intervened on the mental health crises of a countable 58 people and aided countless others through his actions supporting and in some cases, saving, community members in the Stack Up Discord. As our Community Manager, Zach revived the Stacks program, bringing in new members and whipping Stacks Volunteer Leads into shape. He also grew the number of Game Lead volunteers and established consistent scheduling of Stack Up Discord community game nights. Beyond that, Zach supported the members of our community through his presence, supporting those who needed extra help and moderating the community to ensure the safety and security of members.

As a friend, Zach proved to be an incredible, funny and caring guy. Those of us who knew him beyond the workday enjoyed an empathetic pal who could make a person laugh through a well-timed meme. For me, Zach was my work brother. We would exchange dark humor memes, voice issues we were having, and helping and supporting the other in talking out whatever work task or community issues that came up that we were struggling with. Zach also helped me out when I would have problems with my PC. He was my pal and I will miss him terribly. - L. Sahara McGirt, Stack Up Social Media Manager

Zach leaves behind his wife and daughter, and multiple communities of friends and others who had the good fortune of knowing him.

He was also an organ donor and managed to save two more lives in his passing.

Below this, we are sharing stories from the Stack Up community and beyond. We want to thank everyone who sent in their stories for us to share about Zach, and we hope you'll read all of them to get an idea of who he was. He'll forever hold a place in our hearts.

Zach was a constant companion. Whether it was just getting through the workday, exchanging bad memes, or his inexhaustible passion for Yeehawcore. He was always there to bring laughs and clarity. To me, Zach and his family are my family. Except when playing anything with friendly fire. You could never tell what was being done on purpose! It got to a point where everyone was hilariously paranoid of each other every time!

Zach lived his life caring about everyone else. Even his last messages to me were caring about others. - Theo "Renegade" Wiseman, Holloman AFB Stacks Lead

Zach was always a highlight, talking to him both directly and in a group. Always there to help and joke around. He is and will be missed greatly aspic for life! - HossMPForLife

I am a part of the Stacks, and having worked, joked, and talked with Zach for these last few years has been a great part of my time. He was always there to share, joke, and help make the Stacks or anything/anyone else better. The hole he leaves will be large, and the discord will be that much quieter without him. He will be missed. - SuperWolfLeo, DFW Stack Lead

Zach was a lifesaver. He was a good man with one of the most caring and charitable hearts I've ever met. I never got to meet Zach in person. I was hoping to someday. He was always there for me when I needed to chat, and he would give me an ear whenever I was having a bad day. Occasionally, I got to return that favor, and nothing could have made me happier. There will never be another like him. His influence on Stack Up, and even more on myself, has left an indelible mark of joy on my soul. If we could all strive to be just a part of what he was to his family and to Stack Up, the world would be a better place. He made it a better place. So long, friend. Thank you for everything, and I'll see you on the other side. - eSkilliam

RIP Zach. One of the few Coasties within Stack Up. I only met you one time out of sheer coincidence (crazy how life works). I didn’t know you too well, but others have nothing but good things to say about you. I trust their judgment on your character. As a fellow Coastie, I can wish you nothing but peace from the rough swells of life. Fair winds and following seas, shipmate.

To the family, nothing can bring back what was taken from you. My heart breaks for each of you. Zach was a good man. He wanted nothing more than to bring out the best in people. - Chandler

The first time I met Zach was at Emerald City Comic Con in 2021. COVID lockdowns were getting done with, and conventions were coming back, and Stack Up sent a few vets out there to enjoy ourselves and gain some sanity. Meeting him for the first time, I was on edge. It was the first time I traveled in quite some time, and I didn't really know anyone on the trip. When everyone finally linked up, I remember thinking he was a teddy bear of a guy as relief washed over me that I made it there safely.

As I got to know him over the years, he was always a person who let me be myself. I never really got to thank him enough for that, if there really is such a thing. He helped me keep myself together during the helplessness I felt when my girlfriend's dad passed, when he was the head of the Overwatch Program, allowing me to be there for her and not let the moment take me. Then, when he became the head of the Stacks Program, in almost every one-on-one meeting, he would remind me to cut myself some slack.

Zach was one of the rare people out there who could see the humanity in everyone and the hilarity in so much. He would always be able to get a good pun in where he could and would groan, then laugh right along with the joke if not match it. I wish I could share a story to sum up the man in a singular way, but that is just not who he was, who any of us are. To know Zach in any meaningful way took time, not because he hid parts of himself but because there was so much there. I am glad I was able to take the time. - ZiplockBob

Probably one of the best stories I can give that describes Reavantos. He used to race with me on iRacing in a NASCAR series together. I had a mutual friend of ours spot for Reav, who was fairly new to paved oval racing. As we were coming in for a pit stop, the spotter told Reav, "Turn Left now!"

To a normal driver, that means move to the left towards the pit lane, and start slowing down so that you're at a pit speed by the line. Reav, being an old Rally Driver, proceeds to turn immediately and then slams on the brakes at the last possible moment. Amazingly, he didn't get a flag for speeding, but all I can remember is hearing in Discord from the spotter, "Brakes, brakes BRAKES!!!" and then "How did you not get black flagged?!?"

We used to laugh about it to this day. When I told Van (the spotter) about Reav's passing, he even brought up that story. He just had a way of making memorable moments in life, gaming, and anything we did. - Bandio

Reav and I started gaming together about 8 years ago while playing Sea of Thieves. The game really brought us closer because it has so much downtime while you're sailing to the next destination. So we would spend that time joking, laughing, and talking about anything and everything - gaming, work, relationships, music, hobbies, health, and family. Then we'd arrive, slaughter a bunch of merchant-sailor scrubs, take their treasure, and get right back to sailing and talking.

Zach was simultaneously an absolute master of playful teasing and supportive kindness. The guy who gleefully reveled in the Discord channel where we shit-talked each other's selfies was the same guy who messaged us if we hadn't been able to game in a while, just to make sure we were doing alright. It was clear that he valued and had a genuine empathy for us. He cared about us and wasn't afraid to tell us that. We should all endeavor to be more like Zach in that way. I'm so grateful to have known him for the time that I did.

Miss you, brother. - Devin

It's still a struggle trying to come to terms with the loss of Zach, or Reavantos as I knew him. We met through Sea of Thieves, and together, he and I, along with the help of many others, built a community over the course of what feels like a decade. Our community is more of a family now, and losing him feels like losing a brother.

Zach was one of the biggest trolls I have ever met in my life. It was always in good fun. You could say anything to the guy and some way, somehow, he always had a response that would leave you roasted. He was an expert at stirring the pot, always ready to cause some trouble. He kept things light-hearted and fun.

Despite his knack for causing trouble, he was, is, and always will be one of the kindest-hearted people I know. He was very considerate of how other people felt and how his actions made other people feel. To me, that is the key sign that I knew he was a good person at heart. He had been there for me in my dark moments, as he has for many others. I would have considered him like an Uncle. He would always be there for you if you needed him, but he was the type of friend who wouldn't sugarcoat things. He would tell you how it is, in a respectful way, only because he cared and wanted to actually help.

He helped me get a job at Stack Up for a short time. I know that he felt bad about it, but helping me get that job really jump-started me in turning things around for myself. The job helped with my social anxiety, helped me learn to talk to people, and all of that gave me the confidence to get where I am now.

He was a great dude to game with. He didn't take things too seriously and knew how to make any game fun. Hands down the best cannoneer in Sea of Thieves. I wouldn't trade him for anyone else. I've learned so much from this dude from the long talks we would have. It is a shame to have him taken from us so soon. I hope that wherever he may be now, he is at peace and is watching over us, knowing how much he mattered to us and the impact he had on our lives. I am very lucky that I was able to see him in person one more time before he passed. It just won't be the same without him going forward.

Something that helps me cope: Anytime I hear a weird noise in my apartment, I like to imagine that it's Zach trying to mess with me. He always said he would haunt us when he was gone.

It's been real, Reav. I will miss you. - Nicholas (ShugaRolls)

I may not have known Zach very long or had a lot of interactions, but he was still a very kind person, and he will be missed. Godspeed! 🫡 - jdaverage

When I first joined Stack Up, I met Reavantos with the Overwatch Program. I became a helper for the team and helped out as much as I could, and did all the training I possibly could. I was in a dark spot a few times in my own life, and he saved my life numerous times by talking me out of it. I was so thankful for him and Stack Up. I was sad to see the Overwatch Program go, and then I heard the news of Reavantos' passing, and that hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t sleep for the next few days. But Reavantos would want me to keep my head up and keep pushing myself to do better and help Stack Up in any way, so that what I plan to do is help raise money and help wherever I can in honor of him - Stlsuperman52

Reav was an amazing person with nothing but a caring soul. He was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back if he knew it would help. Reav and I got close fast and became great friends. The man was so caring and always did his best to help me in any way he could. He will be missed greatly. Fair winds and following seas, my friend. We have the watch; you stand relieved. - MrJADSWorth

Reavantos was a giant, not in stature, but in heart, in spirit, and in his unshakable dedication to veterans and the mission of Stack Up. I knew him through his role as our community manager, but I quickly came to understand that he was much more than a title. In 2024, during one of the most difficult times in my life, while I was leading the Boston Stack, Reav was there, not as a manager, but as a brother-in-arms. He listened. He understood. He made time, and he showed me what it meant to lead with empathy and patience.

That was who he was: someone who didn’t just know the people above, beside, and below him; he cared about them. He carried us forward. Without his efforts, the Boston Stack and many others across the country would not be thriving the way they are today.

Reav has left behind shoes too large for any one person to fill, but his spirit lingers benevolently in our hearts, guiding us as we continue the work he loved so fiercely. - Gene, Boston Stack Lead

I was fortunate to have met Zach with Stack Up and the Overwatch Program. It was immediately evident that he had a kind soul and was passionate about Veterans and mental health. Watching him grow in his knowledge, experiences was one of the highlights of my work there. I was honored when Zach took the lead of the program and continued the good work. Our connection started out professionally, but then grew into a friendship. Often, we would talk about how things were going at home, work, and of course, a steady stream of memes and video clips. Zach, my friend, I will miss you and those insane aspic dishes that you tagged me in. Much love, Brother. - alicenchns

Zach had as much integrity as anybody I've ever met. When he decided to do something, he was completely dedicated and cared deeply about it and the other people involved. His sense of justice and duty were only matched by his wit and the care he showed for others. He was good, and we will truly feel his loss. -esbelzer

I have volunteered with Stack Up since 2018, and had the privilege to interact with Reavantos in a few different aspects during that time. The first was as a member of the Overwatch Program. He provided some great insights during my training. His involvement in that program absolutely saved people. The next interactions we had were during his time as a community manager. I will miss our one-on-one chats about the Stacks program, and just the space he gave me in those conversations to just vent about life in general. He breathed a lot of life back into those programs and was enthusiastic and encouraging to all of our Stack Leads. His presence will be greatly missed, gone but never forgotten. - Daniel McArdle, Kansas City Stack Lead

I had the privilege of working with Zach as one of the managers when the Overwatch program was still running. He was an incredibly selfless man who would do anything and everything for anyone. He could be serious when necessary, but in the kindest way. Zach had an impact on so many; he's left a lasting impression, which is one of warmth and kindness.

He was great fun as well, we've shared so many laughs - hours of conversation, playing games, being there for each other. Zach was kind, smart, and he will be very missed. - Becky (MamaBear)

Zach was my boss, my friend, and just so much more than that. I never felt like I was at work when Zach was my boss, and I'll forever be thankful for every laugh and digital (or physical) hug he blessed me with. His love for his family was breathtaking, and even during difficult times, he had a positive take on things. To be in the mental health field, you sometimes have a bit of dark humor, and Zach never felt that any of us felt bad for that humor. He encouraged us to follow our dreams, wrote my letter of recommendation for Grad School, and continued to be on every resume I had going forward. Reav, Zach, I'll never thank you enough for everything you did for me, but by hiring me, you didn't just give me a job; you gave me a family.

Thank You - Bearkoda

Zachary was awesome at just staying in touch with the community. I am not the type of person who likes telling stories at all, and I am sure others are the same way. But he did such a great job at checking in on people and keeping people informed, and making sure they felt like a part of the community. I will miss his banter greatly - PixelPirate

Some of the Stack Up Staff and community members at Zach's Memorial.

Thank you for reading! Major thanks, once again, to those who participated in the writing of this article. We will all miss Zach, and he leaves a hole in many of our lives.

For a bonus, we've included Zach putting together a PC we sent out to a Veteran who needed one. He was, among many great talents, great at building PCs and a champion overclocker.