About Us

The Vibrant Elder Journey

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About Rev. Dr. Ken Plattner

I was born in an Amish type community in central Illinois. I left the farm to attend the University of California in the turbulent sixties. My childhood experiences in a small religious community — some wonderful and some difficult — shaped the qualities people know me for: curiosity, openness, compassion, an exploratory nature and a deep commitment to creating community.

After taking a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, I found myself in a difficult position. The war was raging in Vietnam, and I was #53 in the draft lottery — a sure bet on being drafted.

Given my philosophically non-violent upbringing, I chose to leave the States instead of joining the war. After traveling extensively throughout Europe, I eventually took a job running a small farm in a tiny village on the Island of Cyprus off the coasts of Greece and Turkey.

Upon returning to the States, I was ordained as a Minister in the United Methodist Church in 1978. I attended Seminary where I received a Master of Divinity degree, and then took a position as a Hospital Chaplain.

During the 24 years of my professional career as a minister, I have acted as Hospital Chaplain in five hospitals. As a Chaplain Supervisor, I taught seminary students the art of listening and being with people through difficult times. I would tell my students, "If you are going to be a good Chaplain, then you must learn ‘The Way of Father Mulcahy' (M*A*S*H). You must find a way to touch the heart, and talk to a Buddhist as easily as a Baptist". This was my own style of ministry.

I was unorthodox, but genuinely compassionate, just like Father Mulcahy. And when a Presbyterian wanted to marry a Jew, I was happy to be the one to call. Much to the consternation of my Bishop, I was usually "stirring up the pot" in a Church that prided itself on keeping a lid on the status quo. It wasn't long before I earned the nickname 'IrReverend Ken" (a moniker with which I was quite pleased).

Subsequently, I was a college professor, teaching psychology and comparative religions for 16 years. I then became a Certified Marriage and Family Therapist, a role in which I was proud to distinguish myself clinically.

In 1989, I was called to blend psychology with theology in my work, and I received my Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Counseling from The Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame University.

For 15 years, I was the Founder and Director of the Hope Care & Counseling Center in Denver, Colorado. In this position, I developed and supervised over 20 satellite pastoral counseling centers throughout the Denver metro area.

In 2000, I semi-retired. At this time, I began a new career as a writer. My first two projects focused in research and development of travel guides to Europe for people with limited mobility. I 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. I started spending more time working and writing at my home in Mexico. Out of this work, I developed a training program within hospice helping professionals, patients and families deal creatively and consciously with the emotional and spiritual aspects of the dying process.

The creativity of semi-retirement spawned a new career working with end-of-life issues and Elder issues. This fit perfectly with my community awareness work around aging. I now write, speak and coach on the topic of creating vibrant "Elderhood".

I served for five years on the Board of Directors of The ManKind Project and I was proud to be the Center Director of the Colorado ManKind Project from 2005 to 2007, conducting men's leadership trainings and seminars in an organization that seeks to "change the world one man at a time" by helping them connect head and heart. I currently serve as Vice-Chair of the international Council of Elders in The ManKind Project.

And then came the call from Arizona and it was time to move to Tucson in late 2007 to care for my aging folks. So, I began afresh here in the gorgeous Sonoran desert with my sweetheart and partner Claire O'Connor. My adventurer son is following his dreams as a ski instructor in Montana; and I have helped raise four wonderful stepchildren who are now all grown-up.

I completed advanced training as a Certified Relationship Coach with the Hendricks Institute for Conscious Living.

I serve the Tucson community as a Hospice Chaplain for Hospice Family Care.

I perform weddings and other ceremonies as a Professional Officiant and Celebrant. Click here to visit my wedding officiant website, www.enchantedwedding.net.

At a Glance

Elder
Coach & Therapist
Hospice Chaplain
Writer
Celebrant
Professional Speaker
Community Activist

Memberships

2008-2009 Vice-Chair, International Council of Elders, The ManKind Project
Ordained, United Methodist Church (since 1978)
Member, Rocky Mountain Conference, appointed by Bishop to serve the community Beyond the Local Church
Fellow, American Association of Pastoral Counselors (since 1982)
Full Clinical Member, American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy
The College of Chaplains, Association of Pastoral Chaplains (since 1979)

Past Community Contributions

Commissioner, Denver Commission for People with Disabilities
Committee Chair, Round Table of The ManKind Project
Secretary, Fisher Financial Assistance Fund

If you'd like to chat, please call me at (520) 269-9900 , or click here to email me.

Oh, and one more thing! Click here to read about my beach vacation home for sale in Mexico.