Ken
Stone passed away on October 21, 2024, at the age of 82 with his
wife, Nancy, by his side. He was embraced by a loving God, hospice
and the care team at Maple Ridge.
Born
in Bellows Falls, Vt., Ken graduated from Brattleboro High School and
earned a bachelor of civil engineering degree from Union College in
1964; he was active in the ROTC and president of Phi Gamma Delta
fraternity. Family lore relates that Ken’s parents were introduced
to Nancy’s parents in 1961; over the bridge table, they agreed to
an “arranged marriage”! After the 1965 wedding in West
Springfield, Mass., Nancy joined Captain Ken, who was working as a
bioenvironmental engineer stationed at the U.S. Air Force base in
Grand Forks, N.D. In 1968 he earned a master of science degree in
civil engineering from the University of Michigan. Son Eric was born
that year.
The
family moved from the frigid North to sweltering San Antonio, Texas,
where Ken served at Brooks Air Force Base. He was responsible for the
operation of high-altitude chambers as part of NASA research.
With
the imminent birth of daughter Laurel, they moved to Vermont in 1971,
when Ken became director of environmental health for the Vermont
Department of Health, specializing in clean drinking water. The young
family bought a home in Williston, working the land, harvesting wood,
and raising pigs and chickens. After leaving state service, he joined
Lamoureux, Stone and O’Leary Consulting Engineers in Essex
Junction. Among many projects, Ken was proud to have designed the
Williston recreation path.
Ken
had a quiet, joyful spirit and made people “feel happy just having
him around”. With family, friends and even strangers, he offered
kindness, encouragement, and a sense of humor that was quick-witted
in words or goofy with physical play.
He
was active in his community through acts of generosity and civic
engagement, striving to lift up those in need. He was a member of the
town selectboard and served as health officer. He was active in the
Williston Federated Church, where he and Nancy found deep friendship
and community. He was board chair, a tall tenor in the choir,
frequently donned an apron at the July 4th chicken barbecue, and was
dedicated to the men’s Bible study group, where he didn’t
hesitate to raise questions and discuss his faith. He was a longtime
member of the Williston/Richmond Rotary, served as president and was
awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for Service Above Self, a motto he
lived by. He was a scout leader with Boy Scout Troop 692 and was
recognized with the Order of the Arrow.
Ken
served others beyond his community, building homes with Green
Mountain Habitat for Humanity and with HFH International. He served
on Jimmy Carter blitz builds in Kentucky and Georgia and went on
hurricane-rebuilding missions to Connecticut, Georgia and Texas. He
and Nancy joined friends in building homes in Guatemala.
This
man was drawn to nature and loved being active outdoors. Ever
adventurous, he led his family in canoe camping, hiking,
cross-country and downhill skiing, and visiting national parks. He
loved biking with friends, including riding the perimeter of Vermont.
He was thrilled to join a friend’s sail racing team on Lake Champlain
and enjoyed Caribbean sailing trips with that crew and son Eric.
After his early retirement, he set out to complete the Appalachian
Trail in 2001. This was a life-changing, affirming experience! He
made it from Georgia to Pennsylvania, where he realized his body
needed a break. He continued to complete sections over the ensuing
years and reached the end of the trail atop Maine’s Mount Katahdin,
joined by his kids, in October 2004. He also completed Vermont’s
Long Trail and joined a friend to walk the last 220 kilometers of the
Camino de Santiago in Spain.
He
and Nancy tented through Alaska, traveled to Europe and especially
enjoyed their 2.5 years as members of the 251 Club, visiting each
town in Vermont. An avid Alpine skier in his younger years, he tried
snowboarding in his fifties and became an instructor at Smuggler’s
Notch, helping young and old learn to love to ride.
Ken
loved being a grandfather, delighting in the children’s joy,
goofing off in the hammock, and cuddling on the couch to watch videos
of fire trucks and “Bob the Builder.”
Ken
leaves his beloved wife, Nancy, of 59 years; brother Paul Stone (wife
Amelia); son, Eric Stone (wife Elke Reichelt) of Richmond; daughter
Laurel Omland (husband Kristian) of Jericho; and grandchildren, Kai
Stone and Phoebe and Aron Omland; as well other family members. He is
predeceased by his parents, John and Alma Stone of Wilmington, Vt.,
and his brother Alan.
Memorial
contributions may be made to Williston Federated Church,
Williston-Richmond Rotary or the Alzheimer’s Association.
The
celebration of life will take place on January 11, 2025, 1 p.m., at
Williston Federated Church. Live streaming will be available.
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memories at awrfh.com.
This article appears in The Tech Issue 2024.