Kenneth Hugh Swartz

August 14, 1962 – April 17, 2025

Ken Swartz passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2025, in Yakima, Washington, with his beloved family by his side. Born on August 14, 1962, in Seattle, Washington, Ken spent his early childhood between Seattle and Colorado Springs. Eventually, as a young child, his family made their home in Tenino, Washington, where Ken grew up from elementary age till high school.

Ken went on to earn a degree in Civil Engineering from Saint Martin’s University. He built a distinguished 38-year career with the Department of Defense and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) as a Structural and Fire Protection Engineer. A committed lifelong learner, Ken pursued numerous educational opportunities throughout his career. Of which, he was especially proud of becoming a certified Fire Protection Engineer. In 1995, Ken founded Swartz Engineering, through which he provided structural engineering services for residential and commercial projects throughout the Kitsap region and across Washington state. Known for his precision work and personal integrity, his work will leave a lasting impact on the people he worked with and on the projects he completed.

Ken deeply cherished his family and was an amazing father. His early years of parenthood were spent in Seabeck, WA, and were filled with adventures and mischief. Ken had a passion for the outdoors and loved spending time with his family skiing, biking, hiking, camping, and vacationing at Pacific Beach. He was ever present as a father, attending every soccer game, helping with homework (especially math), and sitting around the family dinner table every night of the week. He loved his children unconditionally and often said they were his greatest achievement. Ken took immense pride in the adults his children became and found great joy in being a part of his many grandchildren’s lives. His love for family was at the heart of who he was.

In 2013, Ken reconnected with a high school friend, Tami, and together they quickly began a wonderful new adventure. On October 25, 2014, the couple exchanged vows surrounded by family and close friends at the famously haunted Tokeland Hotel. Ken and Tami shared many adventures—camping, traveling to Montana and Yellowstone National Park, and traveling around the country to visit their kids and grandchildren. But their favorite pastime was hopping into his beloved 2013 black Dodge Challenger and traveling the back roads for hours, exploring the Pacific Northwest where they had both grown up. One of their shared passions was adopting rescued Boxer dogs, filling their home with joyful energy and laughter. Whenever he could, Ken would load their three boxer "kids" into his Ford Excursion and head into the mountains for hours of hiking and exploring. Those peaceful evenings in nature, with his dogs by his side, brought him great happiness and a deep sense of God's presence around him.

In 2021, Ken and Tami found their forever home in the beautiful mountains in Eastern Washington, along Highway 410. Ken talked fondly of the “green pastures” that surrounded them, and Tami dreamed of sitting in rocking chairs on their front porch and growing old together.

Ken leaves behind his loving wife, Tami Lynn Swartz, and her son, Arik. He also leaves behind his children: Kyle Swartz and his children Jonah, Amaiah, and Lyric; Cody Swartz and his wife Linh, along with their daughters Emma and Isabel; Kelisha Solaita and her husband Derek, and their children Landon, CJ, Noah, and Kaila; Kendra Menda and her husband Tal, and their children Eli, Ela, and Ari; Karsten Swartz and his wife Jai, and their daughter Kaia; and Kloe Swartz. He is also survived by his sister Sharon Stevens and her husband Bob, and his brother Jim Stanton and his wife Kathy. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ardith Swartz.

It’s hard to sum up a man like Ken in words. He lived a life marked by honesty, kindness, and intention. Whether offering a kind word to a stranger, picking out a Hot Wheels car for a grandchild just because, or surprising his wife with sunflowers, Ken’s small acts of love left a lasting impact. He believed deeply in the goodness of people and in the quiet strength of doing the right thing. His unwavering faith in God guided him through all phases of life, and he carried that trust with humility and grace. Ken’s legacy of love is found not only in memories, but in the many handwritten notes, postcards, and heartfelt sentiments he left behind for those he loved—and who so deeply loved him in return.

A Celebration of Life, Ken’s Greatest Hits, will be held on Saturday, July 12th from 12pm to 4pm at Sugar Studios Cafe, 3330 NW Lowell St, Silverdale, WA 98383. Please come and celebrate Ken with us! Bring a chair and something to share, and bring your stories and memories, too!

A note from Tami:

I know there are many of you out there who have amazing stories about your adventures with Ken. I would love to put together a notebook of those stories to share with his children. But mostly, I would like to share them with his grandchildren so that they will know him as the

legend he is, their crazy, adventurous, loving Papa! To share your story, simple write it down and mail it to me, Tami Swartz, 81 Deer View Lane, Naches, WA 98937 or email it to me at [email protected]