Ken's Bio
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Ken
was born in an Amish type community in central Illinois. He
left the farm to attend the University of California in the 60’s.
His childhood experiences in a small religious community, some wonderful
and some difficult, shaped the qualities of his later life… curiosity,
openness, exploration and a deep sustaining commitment to community and
compassion. These are the hallmarks of Ken’s creativity and
lifestyle.
After
taking a degree in Psychology from the University of California,
Ken left
for Europe and the Middle East. The war was raging in Viet Nam, and
he was #53 in the draft lottery, a sure bet on being drafted. Given his non-violent religious upbringing, Ken chose to
leave the
States instead of joining the war. After traveling extensively
throughout Europe, he eventually took a position running a small farm on
the Island of Cyprus. He stayed there, living in a tiny Greek
village, until he could return to the United States.
Upon his return, Ken attended Seminary, received a master of
divinity degree, and took a position as a Hospital Chaplain. He was
ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1978. As a Chaplain supervisor-in-training, he taught seminary students the art of listening and being
with people through difficult times. “If you are going to be a good
Chaplain, then you must learn ‘the way of Father Mulkahy’ (Mash)… you must
find a way to touch the heart, and talk to a Buddhist as easily as a
Baptist”. This was Ken’s style of ministry. And when a Presbyterian
wanted to marry a Jew…Ken was the one to call. He was unorthodox, but
generally compassionate. Much to the regret of his Bishop, Ken was
usually stirring up “the pot” in a Church that prided itself “on keeping
a lid on the status quo”. In 1989 he mastered the art of blending
Theology with Psychology, and received a Doctoral degree in Pastoral
Counseling with the Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame
University.
During the 24 years of his professional career, Ken’s
accomplishments have always focused on those same principles that he had
learned from his childhood… curiosity, openness, exploration, community
and compassion.
During his career he was a chaplain in 5 hospitals, and for 15 years he
was the Director of a Pastoral Counseling Center that developed and
supervised over 10 satellite centers throughout Denver. He was a
college professor in 3 different Universities teaching psychology and
comparative religion, and distinguished himself clinically as a
certified marriage and family therapist.
In the
year 2000, Ken semi-retired. At this time he also began a new career
as a writer specializing in research and development of travel guides to
Europe for people with limited mobility. He wrote a popular book with Rick
Steves on accessible travel called Easy Access Europe that has gone to
press twice with Avalon Travel Publishing.
This brought with it further expansion and creativity... Ken started
spending more time working and writing at his home in Mexico. Out of this
work developed a program helping patients and families deal creatively and
bravely with the dying process. Ken started working in Hospice programs
and offering training for persons in palliative care. This fit perfectly
with his community work around aging and creating vibrant 'Elders" instead
of elderly people just waiting to die. The creativity of semi-retirement
spawned a new career working with end-of-life issues and Elder issues.
Ken came out of retirement to serve 5 years on the Board of Directors of
The ManKind Project and was Center Director of the Colorado ManKind
Project from 2005 to 2007. Working with international issues and Elders
doing Men's Leadership in an organization that seeks proudly to "change
the world one man at a time" by offering training and seminars... this
became Ken's committment to mission and purpose.
And then came the call from Arizona and it was time to place his parent's
in Assisted Living. Ken moved there in 2008 to serve as caregiver and to
care for his folks. He is beginning afresh in the desert as a certified
relationship coach and he still serves the Tucson community working as a
Hospice Chaplain.
Community Involvement, Memberships and Education
Ken serves on various
communities Board of Directors…
