Kenneth Eugene Guin

Kenneth Eugene Guin, age 69, of Front Royal, passed away on Thursday, March 07, 2013 at Winchester Medical Center of esophageal cancer. He was first diagnosed with cancer four years ago and successfully fought it off, but it returned this past summer. Ken was born in Greensboro, NC on January 25, 1944. His parents were the late John and Elizabeth DeMars Guin lately of Aiken, SC. He was raised in Orangeburg, SC and was a graduate of Orangeburg High School Class of 1962. He recently helped organize the 50th Class Reunion and loved seeing so many fondly-remembered classmates. He always enjoyed sports and was on the track team, football team and wrestling team. He completed his undergraduate degree at Clemson and received his MS from Appalachian State University. Ken graduated from OCS and served our country in Korea from 1968 to 1972. He began his career in 1975 in the Philadelphia Office of the Internal Security Division of the IRS as an inspector. From there he transferred to Greensboro and then came to the National Office. He left Inspection and worked for the Department of Transportation OIG as well as the USAID OIG where he was posted to Nairobi, Kenya for three years. After returning to DC, he eventually retired and worked as a contract investigator for the Department of State. He retired a second time four years ago after his first encounter with cancer. He was a member of ACBI and FOP. His interests were many and varied. He discovered the joy of ceramics and became an active member of the Shenandoah Potter's Guild. His other skills were woodturning, carpentry, photography, gardening, and caring for his aquariums. Anything Ken did he mastered. He loved sharing his knowledge and was never too busy to help others learn. He was also a big fan of the Washington Redskins. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Altizer of Front Royal (Rebecca lost her best friend and the love of her life); his daughters, Lisa Rynkewicz and husband Jim of Gastonia, NC; Leslie Wade and husband Adam Desforges of Belmont, NC; his brother, Daniel Guin of Jim Thorpe, PA; and his much beloved grandchildren, Lauren, Leah, Logan, and Aaron of Belmont. His family and friends have lost a smart, kind, humble, and funny person who contributed wonderful memories to all who were blessed to have known him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the American Cancer Society, 2654 Valley Ave., Suite B, Winchester, VA 22601. A military service will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery with the arrangement to be announced. Personal condolences may be made to the family online at www.turnerrobertshaw.com.