Kenneth Axen

1943 – 2020

Kenneth Axen, Ph.D., beloved husband and father, scientist, professor, artist and photographer, died on September 3, 2020. His wife Kathleen, their children Christine, Marie and Nils, his daughter Laurel, and his grandchildren Lucia, Saachi, and baby Axel (b. August 27) mourn him.

Dr. Axen earned his doctorate in Biomedical Engineering (1972) and his MEE (1965) from New York University and his BEE (Electrical Engineering 1964) from City College (CUNY 1964). His published work utilized mathematical modelling of data from human subjects with neuromuscular disease or spinal cord injuries to understand their impaired regulation of breathing and to deduce mechanisms of normal regulation. He authored 37 articles in prestigious scientific journals and four books, as well as numerous chapters, and presentations at scientific meetings.

Dr Axen taught Physiology and Exercise Physiology at New York University, where he was a tenured Clinical Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, and at Hunter College and Brooklyn College (CUNY), Long Island University, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, and The National Yang-Ming Medical College (Taiwan, ROC). He was known as a compassionate, available teacher who maintained contacts with many students long after they were in his class, supporting them in their lives and careers. His original thinking and ability to integrate math and basic science into his explanations made him a stimulating research mentor to undergraduates as well as doctoral candidates.

Dr. Axen was an accomplished illustrator of many books, as well as a photographer who exhibited his work locally. His unique drawings, in pencil or pen, along with his photographs, have been joyously shared with his Instagram buddies. He was a person who loved to learn; for many years, he trained and performed theater improvisation with Ralph Buckley and “Just Say Yes!” He made many visually beautiful films while studying in the program at Brooklyn College; he proudly received an award from the CUNY Film Festival for Segues.

His life-long passion for travel took him to over 80 countries; most were long trips that he arranged himself. Trips often involved the family; summer camping in Europe included even the toddlers, and his dozens of bike trips ranged from a 1000 mile journey through the Canadian Rockies (with Kathleen) to excursions through southeast Asia or the Loire valley with older children.

As Kenneth would say, “Anyone who says, ‘Time is money’ does not know the value of time”. He surely knew.

A celebration of his life will be held in the Spring or Summer, once it is safe to do so.