Kenneth A. Dunning, 87, of Columbus, passed away on October 18, 2026. He was born in Buffalo, NY to the late Burdett R. and Lucille E. Dunning. While in Buffalo, Ken joined the Riverside Baptist Church and sang on occasions, much like his father. Ken moved with the family to Kinston, NC when his father was transferred there by the DuPont Company. He graduated from Grainger High School in Kinston, received a BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State in Raleigh, and an MBA and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. He then was a professor at the University of Akron in the College of Business for 36 years, teaching mainly statistics and computers.
Ken loved airplanes and simulation. He volunteered at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton from 2015-2019. He also volunteered at MAPS Museum in North Canton for 3 years before moving to Columbus in 2012. He loved photography and made several photo albums of his travels.
Ken is survived by his wife, Lucy; brother Robert; stepsons Eugene (Leslie) Lee, Esq and Dr. David (Dr. Yun Hui) Lee; and five step-grandchildren Jonah, Isla, Grayson, Lucas, and Vivienne.
The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 pm on Thursday, October 22 at Schoedinger Worthington. A funeral service celebrating Ken’s life will be held at 10:00am Friday, October 23, at Worthington Christian Church. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Akron.
