Kenneth Kerr

On March 15, 2014 our beloved father, Kenneth L. Kerr, succumbed to renal failure at his residence in Gladstone, Oregon. Ken was born February 26, 1923 in Portland to Charles and Ella Kerr. He graduated from Washington High School and enlisted in the Air Force in 1942, serving as a cryptographer in Brazil during World War II. After the war, he returned to Portland and met his life long companion and the love of his life, Ruth Brog. Their marriage of 65 years started January 6, 1947 at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church in Portland.

Ken enjoyed his 35 year career as an insurance claims manager for Ohio Casualty Insurance Company. He also enjoyed many hobbies including fishing, stamp collecting and rock hounding. Ken and Ruth spent several years traveling all over the United States and Canada in their motor home. They enjoyed the company of many fellow club members and friends and were active in the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star (of which Ken was Worthy Grand Patron for the State of Oregon during the mid 1980’s), Scottish Rite, Order of Quetzalcoatl and Shriner’s. A man of integrity and always a gentleman, our Dad had the greatest sense of humor and amused all of us with stories and anecdotes from the past. Dad believed wholeheartedly in the power of family, and set a flawless example for us all.

Ken was preceded in death by his brothers, George and Charles Altig, and by his loving and devoted wife, our dear mother, Ruth, who passed away unexpectedly in March of 2012. He is survived by his daughter Patti and husband Dr. Lou Blettel, daughter Susan and husband Jack Newman, granddaughters Holly Marshall, Jennifer and husband David Newgard, great-grandchildren Ryan and wife Aeriel, Hunter, and Regan Johnson and Colin Newgard.

There will be a private interment with military honors held at Willamette National Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Service to be held on April 5, 2014 at 11:00am, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Gladstone, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Ken’s name.