Kenneth E. Weiss

Obituary of Kenneth E. Weiss

October 3, 1926, to December 26, 2022

Kenneth E. Weiss, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, passed away on December 26, 2022, at the age of 96.  Ken (affectionately called “Kenny” by his family) was born on October 3, 1926, in Quincy, Illinois, the only child of Edgar and Erma Weiss.  Although he left Quincy for a career in the military that lasted 30 years and ultimately settled in Colorado for the past 45 years, the city of Quincy always was a special place to him, and he loved to reminisce about growing up there.  He frequently visited his parents in Quincy and maintained connections with lifelong friends, as well as attending several Quincy High School class reunions over the years.

Ken graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1944.  At age 17, he enlisted in the Army his senior year of high school during World War II and served as an aircraft mechanic in post-war occupied Germany attaining the rank of sergeant. Recently, he enjoyed visiting the WWII Museum in New Orleans just months before his death where he was recognized for his service as a WWII veteran.  Following the war, Ken earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1950 (and later, in 1956, he earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology). Following graduation as an aviation cadet, he was commissioned as an officer in the US Air Force, initially serving as a pilot.  During the Korean War, he flew specially configured C-47s in a search and rescue squadron as part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). Ken then spent most of his Air Force career serving during the Cold War as an engineer and manager in research, development, and testing of rocket propulsion systems for aircraft and ballistic missiles. As a young captain at Wright Field, Ohio, and Edwards AFB, California, he was a project engineer on the development and testing for the rocket engine of the fabled X-15 rocket plane. In 1977, Ken retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lt Colonel.  He immediately began his second career joining the Martin Marietta aerospace company in Denver, Colorado, working for over a decade as a senior engineer and manager.

Despite his passion for serving his country, Ken was first and foremost a family man, totally devoted to his family and extended family. Once, while home on leave from the military, Ken met the former Bonnie June Key on a blind date set up by mutual friends. They were later married on December 17, 1955, in Quincy, and went on to celebrate nearly 62 years of marriage at the time of Bonnie’s passing on December 6, 2017. Ken and Bonnie had four children, Eric (spouse Ann, Albuquerque NM), Vicki (spouse Andy, Steamboat Springs, CO), Kent (spouse Nancy, Grand Junction, CO) and Amy (Highlands Ranch, CO). The family lived a typical military life, periodically moving from one coast to the other and adjusting to new locations and enjoying new experiences.

Ken had a great sense of humor and he loved to tell amusing stories and anecdotes from his varied and interesting life experiences. Ken was a lifelong, avid golfer, playing into his 90s. He enjoyed the outdoors and mountains, especially backpacking and skiing with family which he did well into his 80s. He was very involved for many years with his sons’ scout troops, organizing and leading camping and backpacking outings.  Moreover, Ken was multi-talented, he could build or fix anything from rebuilding an automobile engine to finishing a basement.

Kenny was a positive influence on many and he lived a long and very full life.  Kenny was much loved by his family, and he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. He is survived by all four of his children, 10 grandchildren (Eric, Nick, Laura, and Gabe Weiss;  Mason, Samantha and Derek Light; Katie and Carolyn Weiss; and Lauren Hudnut), and four great grandchildren (Paige, Kenny, and Otto Weiss; and Rose Hudnut).

Interment will be at Ft Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO, with military honors.