Kenneth Edwin Kolmodin, Jr, 64, died unexpectedly Nov. 21, 2013. He was born Jan. 1, 1949, in Kenosha, WI to Kenneth E. and Nedine A. (Killberg) Kolmodin. He lived for the past 32 years in Albion with his wife, Linda K. Kolmodin, where they raised their two daughters, Karen and Emily, in a circa 1894 Victorian home they lovingly restored.
Ken was retired from Albion College as the Associate Vice President for Facilities, a position he held for nearly 30 years. At commencement 2011, Albion College honored him with emeritus status. During his tenure at the college, he was responsible for overseeing the renovation or construction of every building on campus. Under his leadership, Albion College implemented energy conservation measures and contributed greatly to the larger cause of sustainability. His contributions to Albion College and the greater Albion community earned him the 1986 Michigan Minuteman Governor’s Award for service to his state. He also volunteered as clock operator for the Albion College basketball and football teams for more than 20 years.
A 1972 engineering graduate of the University of Michigan, Ken married Linda while they were undergraduate students. He was an avid U of M football fan and loved watching his Wolverines each fall. He and his family also enjoyed sailing aboard Second Wind II and spending summers in Petoskey in recent years. Most of all, he loved his family and spending time with them, especially his grandchildren.
Ken was chair of the Homestead Savings Bank board of directors and previously served on many boards and committees. These included the Albion Community Foundation, the Albion Planning Commission (chair), project manager of the Albion Depot Restoration Committee, member of the Albion Board of Education, Festival of the Forks Committee chair and contributed to many local projects with his varied talents. His network of friends in Albion was extensive and his investment in, and love of, Albion was apparent in all that he did.
He is survived by his Linda, his wife of 43 years; his daughters, Karen (Michael) MacDonell, Ph.D of Northville, and Emily (Anthony) Romeo, ABD of Chicago; grandsons, Joseph Kolmodin Romeo and Connor Edwin MacDonell, granddaughter, Nicoletta Kaye Romeo, and a grandchild to be born in the spring. He also leaves his sisters, Claire A. Kolmodin (John Carstens) of Eden Prairie, MN and Barbara J. Coursey (Lt. Col. Retired USAF), of Albuquerque, NM; brother, David C. (Debbie) Kolmodin of Houghton Lake, MI; in-laws, Barbara (Jansen) and Thomas Shepard of Lansing and Ronald C. and Shari Jansen of Sarasota. Also surviving are nieces, Stephanie Shepard, Michelle (Autry) Inman, Kimberly and Melodie Kolmodin, Sarah Coursey; nephews, Joel (Katey) Kolmodin, Timothy (Stacey) Kolmodin, James and JD Rashkin and RJ Jansen and great-nephews Deegan and Julian Kolmodin and great-niece Alanah Kolmodin.
Visitation is Monday, Nov. 25 from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home 811 Finley Dr., Albion. Memorial service is at 2 PM Tuesday at Goodrich Chapel on the Albion College campus, with a reception following at Upper Baldwin Hall at Albion College.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Albion Community Foundation in his honor.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18