Kenneth Charles Almquist

Kenneth Charles Almquist, Maj. (USAF Ret.), left his earthly family to join his heavenly family on October 17, 2015, after a courageous battle against cancer. Born April 20, 1946, Ken, or “Pop-Pop,” as his beloved grandchildren knew him, grew up in Patterson, California and graduated from Patterson High School. He completed his B.A. in Mathematics magna cum laude from North Park University in Chicago, Illinois and his M.S. in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Air University. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, including as a Minuteman missileer and many other assignments that took him and his family around the country. After retiring from the Air Force, Ken worked in the private sector designing computer-based training curricula for the military.

Ken was a gentle man with a huge heart and warm smile who will be long remembered by those who knew him. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was an avid reader who also enjoyed woodworking, researching genealogy, and traveling with his wife, Janell. Together they travelled the country and traced their roots in Sweden. Ken was a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg.

Ken was preceded in rest by his parents, Arthur and Cecile Almquist and his parents-in-law, Melvin and Gail Lindman. He is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Janell; his four children Chuck (Elaine), Katy (Payton), Chris (Beth), and Joel (Susie); his seven grandchildren Austin, Kyle, Madison, Jason, Jonathan, Scotty, and Erika. He is also survived by his brother Terry (Lois), his sisters-in-law Janet (Lloyd) and Jean (Jim), and his brothers-in-law Ross (Lisa), Brian (Cathie), and Glenn (Jennie), and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Miller, his nurse Tamara, Bill (who always made Ken smile) and the staff of Riverside Peninsula Cancer Institute as well as Riverside Hospice, in particular his nurses Laura and Megan. The family is deeply appreciative of their knowledge, compassion, and outstanding care for Ken during the last 13 months.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 23, from 6-8 pm at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at the church on Saturday, October 24, at 11 am. Burial will follow at a later time in Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to Free Grace Presbyterian Church, 160 Canal Street, Lewiston, ME 04240