Kenneth E. Shank, 93, died March 30, 2022, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born February 24, 1929, in Priest River, ID, to Audra and Robert Shank.
Kenneth is survived by: his wife of 68 years, Bonnie Shank; sisters, Gloria Garcia, Lucille Kidder, and Dorothy Knauss; nephews, Duane Beichley (Kathleen), Chuck Snapp, and John Snapp; nieces, Linda Cowel and Sheryl Shaw (Mike); and numerous others.
He was preceded in death by: his daughter, Valerie Kay Shank, in 1976 at the age of 19; parents; and brothers, Robert, Lester, and Richard Shank.
Kenneth joined his brothers in Ardenvoir, WA, and from there joined the United States Army, serving from 1949 to 1952. He graduated from the Signal School at Fort Monmouth, NJ, studying radar and radio. Kenneth served in Japan during the Korean War, where he taught radar to the troops. He studied at the University of California on campus in Yokohama, Japan, while there.
After leaving the service, Kenneth was employed by RCA as an electronics field engineer, and later worked for Raytheon Company in Sudbury, MA. He formed Orion Associates, where he designed and manufactured a connector to be used for specialized medical equipment while in Massachusetts and retired from that business in 1996 after moving to Hutchinson.
Kenneth graduated from Northeastern University, Boston, Mass, with highest honors on June 15, 1969, with a degree in business.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at First Congregational Church, 3410 N. Plum, Hutchinson, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard at the church. Per Kenneth’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family graveside service will be held at a later. Friends may sign the book from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, at Elliott Mortuary.