Kenneth Ken Robertson McLaren

A patriotic American and retired Coast Guard service member, Kenneth “Ken” Robertson McLaren ended his journey on this earth on October 15, 2015, he was 81. His new journey has started and hopefully a happy, productive road is pointing him in good directions.

Ken was born and spent his early years in Oak Park, IL. Eventually after graduating from college with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, he first headed off to the Navy for a few years. But enamored with the Coast Guard mission, especially saving lives, he spent the next 40 years both in the Coast Guard Reserve and then as a civilian with the Coast Guard. H.W. Bush honored him for his service at the White House along with other dignitaries.

Ken was an avid collector of many years of all sorts of sports memorabilia, coins, stamps and books. He had an extensive collection and enjoyed sharing them with his guests. He was a very proud of his collections and attended many hobby shows that shared his interests.

Ken also was a great gift-giver and was always thinking of others and how he could help them. He was a good neighbor and also helped strangers when they were in need. Ken moved from the Fredericksburg area to Williamsburg in 2006, and fell in love with this area. He enjoyed vacationing in the Outer Banks and driving to areas that interested him. He was a regular at many restaurants in the Williamsburg area like Rick’s Grill, Anna’s Brick Oven, Opus 9, Hot Stacks Pancake House, Jimmy’s and Sal’s by Victor.

Ken is survived by his wonderful wife of 35 years, Linda F. Martin-McLaren, his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Rosemary McLaren; his children Lynn Handing of NM, Carol Sue Hensley of UT, Marty McLaren and the late Marie McLaren. Step-children include, Jacqueline, Lee and Gary Martin and Tracie G. Showalter.

A memorial reception to celebrate Ken’s life will be held at Windsor Meade of Williamsburg, 3900 Windsor Hall Dr., Williamsburg, VA, on October 24, 2015 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM. A Coast Guard Burial at Sea is to be held at a later date.

Instead of flowers or food, it is asked that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Ken’s name, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Nelsen Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.