Ken, you are still thought about with warmest regards in Building 112 at Little Creek.  Susan, you are still in our hearts.

Some people, God puts in our path to teach us valuable lessons…   That's what Ken was to me.  I met Ken back in 2003 during a planning conference in Japan and during our many trips he became not only a mentor but a friend.  He lived life to the fullest and always talked dearly about his family.  We lost touch after I stopped attending the sea trials and am very saddened to hear the news.  He will be missed.  May he rest in peace.

Susan and family, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you on the loss of Ken.
Besides growing up with Ken since 1959, he did three huge & memorable  favors for me and they were within weeks of each other.
The first favor was standing up to my wedding as Best Man in Dec 1968. The 2nd huge favor came 3 weeks later when I reported to NAB, Coronado for Counter-Insurgency school before my deployment to NSA, DaNang, Vietnam.  Upon my reporting, Ken took me in and let me stay in his apartment at Imperial Beach with 2 other Ensigns (I was just a lowly YN3), rather than housing in the same building with the Navy Seals in Training.
The 3rd favor came shortly thereafter when Ken steered me away from the other 2 Ensigns who wanted to take me to Tijuana and instead Ken & I traveled to Oxnard to visit my brother and his Seabee Battalion.
Ken was so great in looking out for the other guy, especially for my brother and myself.
RIP Ken and now you can take it easy without the pain and suffering.

Mr. Tryner was one of the first SWDG professionals that I had the privilege of working with while I worked at SSAAC Norfolk.  I remember speaking with him at length about ASW during my first SHAREM Exercise that I was riding back in 1997, and I was just awed by his knowledge.  Sure I'll remember him for his vast knowledge of ASW, which helped me become a better Sonarman, but most importantly I'll remember him for how nice he was to talk to and how he treated one of the most junior members of the team on his first trip.  Rest in Peace.

Ken is my Stepdad.  I enjoyed reading these entries from friends and coworkers. Thank you so much for your stories.  He was always such a great story teller and funny guy! ?

Susan, my thoughts and prayers are with you, peace be with you and your loved ones during this difficult time.  Lisa Layne (Carter Surg/Riverside)

Susan my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.Love Valerie(MaryView OR) Valerie Roberts



My condolences to Ken's family. I knew him in An Thoi, RVN.

Terry Costello, Stockton, MO

Ken and I go all the way back to the late '70s when we were both working at Commander, Oceanographic Systems, Atlantic.  I was a watch officer and he worked days.  I left the Navy in '79 and we crossed paths again when we were both working at SWDG as contractors.  Ken was an exercise planner and we traveled quite a bit together. 
One story he used to tell would just have everyone in stitches.  At some honky-tonk in OK I believe, Ken put about $5 worth of coins into a jukebox and selected Nancy Sinatra's song "These Boots Are Made for Walking."  Well after about the 4th or 5th time the song came on, the "patrons" in the bar were becoming rowdier and rowdier and somehow determined that Ken was the culprit.  He soon found himself outside the bar, dusting himself off after having been unceremoniously tossed out.  He said it was just like in an old western movie.  Trust me.  It was hilarious the way he would tell it.  
Ken was always an interesting and intelligent guy and I'll miss him very much.  It was indeed a pleasure to have been among those whom he called  "friend".  
Susan and family, I am truly sorry for your loss.

I had the honour of serving with Ken for four years while on exchange from Canada. A wonderful man who certainly taught me a thing or two. Honour, integrity and loyalty.  Fair winds

Shawn O'Donnell RCN

Ken served his country and loved doing it.  A true American hero. I was lucky enough to call him my friend.

I met Ken when I joined the PURVIS team supporting SHAREM in Oct. 2007.  A wonderful co-worker and friend.  We shared many wonderful discussions ... about work, about life, about family.  He was a dedicated professional and a true patriot.  RIP my friend. Susan, you are still part of our PURVIS family so please don't hesitate to call or contact us.

Ken and I trained together in San Diego as Ensigns and then served together in Vietnam as Officers in Charge of Swift Boats.  We also then serve together in our second tours in Washington DC, where we saw each other fairly frequenly.  I consider it accurate to state that I was one of Ken's closest friends during that time.  I certainly felt that way of him.   We touched base about three years ago...just a passing phone call.

With that perspective, I will tell you that Ken Tryner was a brave man.   He was honest and humble.  He knew how he had conducted himself, and did not need to tell others nor to seek their validation.   He was reflective (use to smoke a pipe quite a bit), although he would react with a hardy laugh quite often.  But, when we knew we were going into a dangerous situation, you could count of him to be there, regardless of the dangers.  I trusted him, respected him, and liked him.   I count myself fortunate to have been his friend.

I suspect he lived the balance of his life in that same manner....not taling about the past, just living for the future, with a quiet sense of honesty and dignity.

May God Bless, Ken.   This world needs more people exactly like him.

Susan
I cannot express our sense of loss.  Ken was such a special and wonderful person.  We will truly miss him.  Please know that you are in our prayers.

I never actually knew Ken but I am the historian for the Swiftboat Sailors Association, and am well aware of Ken's service in Vietnam on PCF 3. He will be missed by his 3,200 shipmates and friends from the "Brown Water Navy" of Vietnam.

Susan,

I am so so sorry.  Don't even have the words... What a fight and how brave you both were through the long journey.

Love,
Linda

I worked with Ken at "SWDG" during the 90's and we were together on several Navy exercises(SHAREM). He was a great guy to be with and a dedicated professional at his job. He will be missed. Attached is a photo taken on the USS Lake Erie (CG 70) in February 1995 in the Persian Gulf. L to R: myself (John Gossner), Ken, and Lcdr. Gil Shortt. I'm sorry I will not be able to be there on Saturday to celebrate his life.

Debbie,

So sorry for the loss of your stepfather.

Debbie I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

OBITUARY

Kenneth Tryner

21 April, 1942 – 9 June, 2011

Smith & Williams Funeral Home/Kempsville

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