Kenneth "Ken" Eugene Tempelmeyer

In a life filled with successes and accomplishments, Ken’s greatest achievement was to be a man of integrity, generosity, honor, humor, and intelligence. He was liked and respected by those who encountered him.

Predeceased by wife, Doris (Keefe) and two grandchildren,Ken is survived by his children: Kathy Merritt (and partner, Karen Proctor); Gene Tempelmeyer (and wife, Debbie); Nancy Hippensteel (and husband, Dan); Mark Tempelmeyer (and wife Helene); six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Ken married Peggy Hazel in 2012 enlarging his family with Peggy’s son, Chris, and daughter, Genevieve, and her three children.

In his career as a research and teaching engineer, Ken’s work carried him from the United States to Belgium, Japan, Russia, and Taiwan. With a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Masters and Doctoral degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Ken did research at the Arnold Center in Tullahoma, TN, and The Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL. He worked with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment creating pollution legislation. He was a professor at the University of Tennessee Space Institute. He became Secretary of the Navy Fellow teaching and doing research at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. A highlight of his career was becoming the Dean of the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University.

An avid and skilled sailor, Ken raced many classes of sailboats, winning so many races and regattas he periodically had to clear space on his shelves for more trophies. As a young man he was equally talented and successful building model airplanes and winning related competitions.

Ken died peacefully at home on January 18, 2022. At the age of 93 he died from the cumulative effects of a full and active life.

Ken’s family wish to express deep appreciation for Tidewell Hospice in Punta Gorda, FL. The family would be honored by memorial donations made to The Tidewell Foundation. Their mailing address is: 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34239. Or you can find them online at TidewellFoundation.org.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Stephen’s Catholic Community on Monday January 31, 2022 at 9 am and will be live streamed via the Hermitage Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens page on Facebook.com.

Due to current health concerns, masks will be required for all guests attending the service.

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