peacefully on June 18, 2023, Father’s Day, after a long battle with
dementia.
Ken was a son of Louisville, born to Irene and Oscar Weber on May 25,
1931, and he grew up on Rufer Avenue in the Highlands. Being an only
child, his beloved Boy Scout troop 19 occupied much of his time. After
graduating from Manual High School he attended the University of
Louisville, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a commission
in the United States Air Force. Later he received a Master of Arts degree in
English from The Ohio State University.
After achieving his childhood goal of becoming a military aviator, he served
his country for 28 years, primarily piloting B-47 and B-52 jet bombers of
Strategic Air Command and flying 185 combat sorties in AC-47 “Spooky”
gunships in Vietnam. His numerous decorations include being awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross twice for heroism.
During his Air Force service, he taught English at the Air Force Academy
and was head of the department of English at the Air Force Academy
Preparatory School. As his last military assignment, Ken commanded the
Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Connecticut,
a position he cherished, and where he was truly revered by his cadets.
Following his military retirement, he established the Business
Communications program at the university‘s School of Business and later
taught professional writing at Indiana University Southeast. Several
students there related that Ken had a profound effect on their lives, well
beyond the scope of the program.
Ken’s love of English, and particularly literature, needed an outlet. That
was found in his authorship and publishing of two books – a novel “What
the Captain Really Means”, a statement of war and its effect on the family;
and “A Life Not Long But Wide”, a biography of WWII aviator Arthur
Donahue, his childhood hero. Reading, mostly history and biography, was
one of Ken’s particular enjoyments.
Ken returned to the Louisville area after the family’s wide travels where he
enjoyed spending quality time with lifelong friends. His greatest joy,
however, was loving and caring for his family. Ken was selfless and would
always forgo his wants so as to provide for others. He was the best father
a kid could hope for, and he was always the perfect gentleman. Laughter
was always on tap, and he seldom missed a chance to use his signature
dry wit.
Ken married his soulmate, Mary, in 1952. They raised five children, all while
frequently moving their household with the military. Their loving union ran
for 61 years, until her death in October, 2013. Ken was also preceded in
death by his parents.
Surviving Ken are his children, Sharon Weber, Steven Weber (Teri), Eric
Weber (Teresa), Bob Weber (Nancy), and Maria Worthington (Steven); nine
grand children, Haley, Scott, Charles, Alexandra, Lauren, Allison, Derek ,
Justin, and Hunter; and five great-grandchildren, Tristan, Addilynn, Travis
Junior, Elizabeth, Nora, plus soon one more.
A celebration of Ken’s life will be conducted Tuesday, June 27th, with
visitation from 11-noon, and Chapel service at noon, Arch L. Heady at
Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Road. Memorial gifts are suggested to the
Alzheimer’s Association.
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