Kenny Armbruster

Kenny Armbruster died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Ontario, California, on May 26, 2012, with his family at his bedside. Kenny was born in the tiny mining town of Sweet Mine, Utah, the son of Ray and Anna Armbruster. Since his dad was an electrician (self-taught) for mining companies, the family moved a lot and, one year, Kenny went to four different schools in three different states. The family lived in Sumpter, Oregon, during his high school years and he attended high school in nearby Baker, Oregon. Kenny ran track and played some football but decided, after a mild concussion, that maybe football was not the right sport for a 5’3” kid, so he concentrated on track and did well.

He spent one year of college at Oregon State and then joined the Navy in 1950. The Navy gave him some training in electronics and he then spent two tours of duty in Alaska aboard two sea-going tugs. Leaving the Navy in 1954, he attended Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) and earned a degree in Electronics Engineering. He then took a job at General Dynamics in Pomona where he worked 35 years at a job he loved, designing guidance systems for guided missiles.

When he retired in 1990, the first item on his “bucket list” was to go skydiving at Perris, a stunt he thoroughly enjoyed. Next was a geology class at Chaffey College where he happily went on camping field trips with 18-year-olds. After that, he spent his time studying geology and history, going hiking, traveling (especially with Elderhostel), socializing with many friends, and enjoying time with his five grandsons.

Kenny is survived by his wife of 54 years, Doris, sons Scott (Barbara) of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Keith (Dana) of Corona, and daughter Nora of Claremont; a brother, Robert, and a sister, Joan Warnock, of Sumpter, Oregon; and five grandsons Scott, Nicholas, Wyatt, Quinn and Riley.

Donations may be made to Hospice, to Casa Colina in Pomona, or to the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at Draper’s Mortuary, 811 N. Mountain, Ontario, on Sunday, June 3, at 11:00 a.m.