1989

A big guy with a tender heart, Kenneth Riches M.S. ’89 strived to be a force for good in the world. Fondly called “Kengineer,” he worked as a project manager for various companies and mentored countless other engineers, inspiring them with his knowledge and sense of humor. And holy cow, did he have a sense of humor: He went to clown school and embodied Bucko, a clown who was always down on his luck but nonetheless remained optimistic. Ken and his wife, Beth, lived by the philosophy to not put off enjoying life for a later date. He loved watching the wildlife on their 11 acres, perfecting his grilling skills, and traveling, including driving Route 66 and touring The Walking Dead filming locations. Ken survived non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and started a nonprofit, foCus, to help others diagnosed with cancer. He died Dec. 9, 2023.

29 Jul 2024