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Ken was born in Staten Island, New York. He graduated from Curtis High School with academic honors and joined the Air Force as an Airman. He became an officer and was accepted for pilot training and received his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Illinois.
He then applied and was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs as Associate Professor of engineering from 1965 to 1970. He also setup the soaring program at the Academy which remains a big part of cadet life teching cadets to fly gliders aircraft above and alongside the Rocky Mountains above the Academy grounds.
Ken then was assigned as Squadron leader of the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Viet Nam and led the squadron for 156 combat missions. He then was Division Chief of the Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Next he was Deputy Commander of the 3rd Mobile Communications Group at Tinker Air Force Base.
Ken was promoted to full Colonel and was given Command of the 1842nd Engineering Group at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base and the dual position of Director of Engineering.
Ken retired from the Air Force in 1977 and worked for Goodyear Aerospace, Motorola Government Electronics Group and Quadri in Business Development roles for Aerospace electronics.
Ken married his wife Gretchen in 1954. They are the parents of three children, Linda, Chris and Tim. They have four Grandchildren, Jeffrey, Danny, Julia and Ellie.
Ken was a beloved husband, father and grandfather.
