2012 Issue

18 Sunday, March 1st, 2009, Ken had his family gathered around at his hospital bed. He had had another difficult episode and had life support keeping him with us. He had decided it was time to disconnect the life support and let nature take its course, but first he wanted to talk to me as the current chair of the Utah AIAA. He had some wonderful memorabilia that he had collected throughout his lifetime career and hewas concerned that it would get a good home after he left. I was deeply touched and more than delighted to ease his mind and volunteer our resources to provide a good forum. Typically for Ken, he fooled us all. He got stronger and spent several years more promoting aerospace with us. Currently, the Utah Section of the AIAA is working with the Hill Aerospace Museum to establish an AIAA display where memorabilia of Ken’s career and professional associations can be on permanent display for all to see. If you would like to help, contact us at utah.aiaa@gmail.com . If you have stories to share about Ken, Ken’s son, Dave, would love to hear from you at daverandle@mac.com .  launch—the first Apollo night launch. On September 14, 1971, as program chair of the Utah section of AIAA, Ken organized a dinner meeting to host the Apollo 15 astronauts, their wives, and Dr. James Fletcher (then NASA Administrator). There were 786 people in attendance. In October of 1975, as chair of the Utah Engineers Council, Ken coordinated a gathering of Apollo and Soyuz astro- nauts, cosmonauts, and their wives at the Hotel Utah in Salt Lake City. A Few Last Words This impressive man was born March 4, 1923 in Stockton, Kansas to Melvin W. and MildredM. Randle. He grew up in Stockton. He married Faye Crawford on June 28, 1947, in Hubbard, Ohio. Ken is survived by his wife, Faye; four sons, David, Donald, Timothy, and Paul; five grandchildren and his sister, Melva Sommerfield. Ken was definitely not one-dimensional. For instance, he served the El Segundo Methodist Church as Building Fund Trea- surer and Finance Committee Chairman, the Holladay Utah United Church of Christ as Finance Committee Chairman, and the Utah Christ United Methodist Church as Treasurer for five years and later as the Finance Committee Chairman. Ken also served the UCC WHALE Center as Trea- surer for 18 years. He loved his family, friends, bridge, golf, reading, University of Michigan Football, attending several Michigan Bowl games, and was a 22-year Jazz season ticket holder. He loved to travel, having visited all 50 states and 41 countries on six continents. As mentioned, Ken was passionate about his professional societies and the promo- tion of aerospace. Ken was Phi Kappa Phi. He served on the National Membership and Career Enhancement Committees of AIAA from 1973 – 1987. Hewas Utah Engineers Council (UEC) Chairman for 1974 – 5. Ken received the UEC Outstanding Service Award in 1975. In February 2008, Ken received the UEC “Lifetime Service Award.” Ken re- ceived the AIAA Sustained Service Award in 2000, the first year it was offered. Ken was Chairman of the United States Space Observance Proclamation Commit- tee from 1972-1994 to commemorate the anniversary of the first landing of men on the Moon by Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969. Both Ken and the Voyager will undoubtedly be exploring new frontiers. Let us learn like Ken did to adapt to the new, and continue our journey of discovery.  About the Author: Charlie Vono is a retired AF colonel, engineering manager for a major defense contractor, and fellow pilot and friend of Ken Randle, with whom he worked closely in the AIAA. FAREWELL | continued from page 17 For those wishing to honor Ken’s memory, contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, or the Christ United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. You can help Ken permanently establish Space Exploration Day as a nonpaid commemorative holiday by visiting http://www.spaceexplorationday.us/. For more information about Voyager, try these links: • http://www.voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/ • http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/interstellar.html • http://planetary.org/explore/topics/voyager/ • Hear Ken in his own words at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OazHurVaDjE Search for Ken Randle Space. • For Ken’s full article quoted above, see http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/appel/ask/issues/38/38s_ NASA_past.html • Ken’s obituary can be found on line at the Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune