Kenneth L. Spahr

Kenneth L. Spahr, 85, of Washington passed away May 20, 2011.

He was the son of Dr. Walter Earl Spahr and Beulah Lowry Spahr. Ken was born Feb. 2, 1926, in Bronx, N.Y., and grew up in Bellerose, Long Island. He attended Long Island schools. He studied agriculture at Cornell University and engineering at New York University. During his college years he had been a model for Norman Rockwell. He married Mary Jane Layport in 1948 and moved to Worcester, Mass. Ken was a design engineer for Wyman Gordon Co. in the aeronautical and aerospace field working on projects for USAF, NASA, Boeing, Sikorsky and others. He was an inventor, furniture maker, antique restorer, and farmer in his spare time. He was divorced in 1975 and moved to Washington where he became an antique dealer specializing in antique stove parts, collectibles, art, and Victorian hardware. Health eventually forced his retirement.

He leaves behind his devoted excellent companion Ernestine Kennard of Washington; his son, David L. Spahr; his grandson, Samuel D.C. Spahr; his grandson, Andrew Elam; his sisters, Carol Spahr Bogdasarian and Jean Spahr Segatto; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sons, Andrew R. Spahr and John K. Spahr.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the American Heart Association.