Kenneth Charles Brookbank

Kenneth C. “Ken” Brookbank U.S. Air Force, Airmen, AE-2

OREGON - Kenneth C. “Ken” Brookbank, age 85, of Oregon, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on June 20, 1937, in Westmoreland, Pa., the son of William C. and Margaret (Mellors) Brookbank.

In 1955, at age 18, Ken Brookbank was admitted to the Reserve Officers Training Program (ROTC) at Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio, a college affiliated with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (known today as the United Methodist Church). There, Ken had hopes of continuing his studies for the ministry but was unable to afford the costs of college the past two years. In 1957, Ken began active duty in the U.S. Air Force. His decision to join the Air Force was part of an enduring hope as a teenager to fly in an airplane-not as a pilot, but to be in a place that affords one a "whole new perspective of the world." Fly he did during his many Air Force assignments.

Ken completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and was later transferred to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., where he was trained in personnel record management and became a specialist in that field. During active duty at Keesler AFB, Ken made time to worship and volunteer at a Baptist Church as a Sunday School teacher. It is also there, at a Bible study, where he met and eventually took leave to marry Nona May Koepp, on Sept. 27, 1958, in Port Washington. Wis. When asked about what Ken defined as the greatest benefit and memory of his military career he answered, without a second thought, "Nona." Ken's strong faith was supported by a memorable military retreat in Estes Park, Colo., an Air Force benefit to airmen who desired to attend. Although Ken grew up in Greensburg, Pa., he chose to remain in Wisconsin-also Nona's home state.

As far as flying, Ken enjoyed working in the field of personnel record management at a number of Air bases around the country including Biggs, Texas, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, McChord Field in Tacoma, Wash., and the Canadian Forces Station Baldy Hughes in British Columbia, a general radar station now closed. Ken was also a member of the Air National Guard, 327 Fighter Group, Truax Field, Wis. Ken received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged in 1963.

Ken enjoyed bowling, fishing, camping, gardening, swimming, dancing, playing horseshoes, leather tooling, woodworking, and was active with the Boy Scouts in his youth. He was a member of Oregon Jaycees, JC Senator, Chaplain of Jaycees, Oregon EMS for 11 years, an active member and volunteer of St. John’s Lutheran Church and a member of Burger King Bible study group.

Ken is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nona May Brookbank; children, Robert L. Brookbank, Mary M. Schneider and Karen R. Keller; grandchildren, David Keller, Amanda (Patrick) Lappen, John Keller, Thomas Keller, Mark Keller, Daniel Keller, Rachel Keller, Michael Keller, Brittany Hammersley and Hunter Lappen; great-granddaughter, Mayciekay Jenson; brother, Larry Brookbank; and many other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Wiliam C. (Rachel) Brookbank and Margaret (Lauren) Baerwolf; grandson, Eric S. Keller; and siblings, Karen Brookbank and Robert Brookbank.

Special thanks to granddaughter, Amanda Lappen, the Lappen family, the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital and Agrace HospiceCare for their excellent care of Ken.

A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, and continue at ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.  Memorials may be gifted in Ken’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oregon or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515