Kenneth G. Dibbell, 86 years old of Norwich, NY passed away on November 30, 2020 with his wife and daughter at his bedside, after taking a sudden turn for the worse at Chase Nursing Home in New Berlin. The family expresses appreciation for the care he was receiving there.
Ken was born on May 17, 1934 in Waterbury Center, VT, the son of John Allen and Marion Churchill Dibbell. He was a graduate of Waterbury High School, Waterbury VT. Soon he had earned his aviation maintenance certificate at East Coast Aero Tech, Bedford MA and joined United Airlines in 1952 as a mechanic. Ken was then hired and trained as a flight engineer for Eastern Airlines in 1957, and flew in the 2nd Officer crew position for many years for various airlines on propeller and jet aircraft, ending in 1986 on the Boeing 747 for Flying Tiger Line, acquired shortly afterward by Federal Express.
On June 24, 1954 in Waterbury, VT he married Nancy Porter Forbes, who survives along with children Kenneth J "Jack," David (Nancy K), Michael, Kathleen "Kathie" Elwood, Kendra, and Steven. All live in the Norwich and South New Berlin areas. There are 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren (and counting!) Also surviving are Ken's brother David (Sandra) Dibbell in Avon Lake, OH and Carol (Oliver) Plunkett in Waterbury, VT.
Except for a year in Minnesota and a year in Colorado, Ken and Nancy raised their family in New Jersey. Most of that time was in a little place called Changewater, where do-it-yourselfer Ken eventually built a cedar log home. But in 1976 they moved to Twin Pond Farm in South New Berlin. Cows were milked, crops were grown, and the younger children went to school there. Ken became an advocate for farm issues, especially milk pricing, and continued in those pursuits into his early eighties.
In 1967, Ken was added to the Lord in the sense of Acts 2:38-42 and continued faithfully as a disciple, a Christian, in the sense of Acts 11:26. He assembled with the church of Christ in South New Berlin.
Arrangements are by the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich. There will be no calling hours. There will be a private service at the convenience of the family. A community-oriented memorial event is anticipated at a future date. Condolences can be left at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/norwich-ny/rj-fahy-funeral-home/6882
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations to Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County.
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