Kenneth Harl Andersen

Kenneth Harl Andersen of Gaithersburg, MD, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2023, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Ken lived 81 years with grace and courage, and he calmly approached even his most difficult challenges with great fortitude.

Ken was destined to be the “rock” of his family. Born to Harl and Gwenoeth Andersen in Sioux Falls, S.D., on January 15, 1942, he was the second eldest of 10 children and the first of six sons. He was raised to be a responsible leader and caretaker. He was naturally curious, organized, analytical and determined, but he was also skilled at patient communication and he taught those skills to those around him. His advice was often sought by others.

He graduated from South Dakota State University in 1966 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After an Alaskan adventure, he was preparing to depart for a Peace Corps posting in South America when he was drafted by the U.S. Army. He served in Washington, D.C. and Schweinfurt, Germany becoming a defense mapping specialist. Following his discharge from the Army, he became an expert in cartography and imagery analysis for the Defense Mapping Agency. Ken was instrumental in the success of a 10-year effort to consolidate some 100 government databases and to retire outmoded systems at widely separated locations. Leaving government service in 1997, he spent the remainder of his career at Lockheed Martin Corp., where he was part of a project that would deploy thousands of high-end cartographic and image processing workstations around the world. During his professional career, he received many awards and accolades.

Ken met his wife, Marilyn, as a young soldier stationed in Washington D.C., on a blind date. In March, they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. He was a loving father to their two children, Melissa Andersen Crawford (Jerry) of Bethesda, MD., and Matthew Andersen (Brooke Mowry) of Montgomery Village, MD. He was always available to them for help with math homework, science projects, driving skills, and, later in their adult lives, with major home projects.

Ken was a craftsman. The garage at his longtime home in Montgomery Village was always filled with sawdust and tools. He was a builder, handyman and quality wood smith. When his beloved grandchildren Kylie and Ryan came along, he delighted in building competition-level sandcastles, gingerbread houses, and exquisite doll furniture for them.

Ken also took pride in caring for his garden, lily pond, and lawn. He enjoyed being outdoors tending to the rose bushes, the Koi fish in his pond, and socializing with neighbors.

In addition to his wife, Marilyn, children and grandchildren, Ken is survived by two sisters, five brothers, two brothers-in-law, four sisters-in law and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Sheila Kennedy and Viola Robertson.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Casey House (Montgomery Hospice) 6001 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, Maryland 20855 or to the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA) 3570 Olney- Laytonsville Road, #490, Olney, Maryland 20830

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on October 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., in the Memorial Guild Chapel at Asbury Methodist Village, 211 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

*******Please check in at the gate house at 301 Odendhal Ave. Gaithersburg, MD.Directions will be provided to The Memorial Guild Chapel, Upper Level Parkview Building, 211 Russell Ave.