Kenneth DAHMS Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Kenneth DAHMS
Start: 2023-02-18T13:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-02-18T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Glen Helen Nature Preserve- Vernet Ecological Center

DAHMS, Kenneth "Ken"

Kenneth "Ken" C. Dahms of Yellow Springs, Ohio, passed away January 3, 2023. Ken was born December 20, 1945. He is predeceased by his wife, M. Emelda Dahms, his parents, brothers-in-law: Raymond Lovejoy and Andre Spenard. He is survived by his sisters-in-law Rose Rishell (Randy) of Fredericksburg, VA, Anne Goodrich (Herb) of Derry, NH, and Valerie Spenard (Andre) of Ridgefield, WA, and nieces and nephews.

Ken graduated from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 1964. Ken started running cross country there in 1961. To this day he still holds the track record.

In 2015, Ken was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. Ken graduated in 1968 from Oklahoma State University. After two years in the U.S. Army, he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1973.

Ken started working at a local law firm and then went to work for the Montgomery County Combined Health District as their legal counsel. In 1999, he became the Director of Administration until his retirement in 2004 after 28 years of service.

Ken was an avid runner. Ken took up running in 1978, he especially enjoyed marathons. He completed 20 marathons in his lifetime. He ran in the Boston marathon finishing in the top 100 Boston marathoners in 1985 at the age of 39. In 1995, Ken was inducted into the Dayton Distance Running Hall of Fame. Ken was involved in many different types of running organizations. He assisted in local and regional events. He was a race coordinator for the Dayton River Quarter Classic for many years. Later on, Ken's interests included the Indy 500. Ken had many diverse friends who filled his life with joy and love and care.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Glen Helen Nature Preserve- Vernet Ecological Center, 405 Corry Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387. Very casual attire. Ken would want it this way. Parking available. If you have any questions please contact Rose Rishell, cell number 540-809-2419 or [email protected]. Arrangements in the care of Jackson Lytle and Lewis Funeral Home, Yellow Springs. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.jacksonlytle.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dayton Daily News on Jan. 11, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth DAHMS

Sponsored by Jackson Lytle Lewis Funeral Home - Yellow Springs.

9 Entries

Marla Jean Reece Raczkowski

February 16, 2023

I'm happy to have known you. Yes, I am from the Dahm's family tree, of the gender daughter, cousin, grandchild, aunt, sister, daughter, grandmother,friend. My Great Grandfather, would have me say: I am of the family tree--Christian--from the crossing on wagon wheel with friends and family only four generations ago. I sometimes dream of the vista of miles looking down, from the back of the wagon under the cover, as one of the children along with Carl and GeorgiaAnn , on the trip southwest.
I am Kenny's second cousin. I'm an Oklahoman.
I think I remember meeting Ken for the first time at his Mother's funeral. I don't remember him again until his wife -Nelda- /we called her lovingly/ began to visit their Oklahoma family with him, she brought the BEST chocolates.
Kenneth's Da, once gave me a doll with jointed knees. The dolly, dressed in an aqua dress and apron, black shoes and socks. had a broken leg for a while, I fixed it with a toothpick.
She's fine now. I keep her in a blue felt appliquéd pajama case that Kenneth's Da's sister stitched, and I have.
I'd like to buy a tree in memberence of the Kenneth Dahms's family tree. Psalm 23. Amen.

Gene Dorris

February 15, 2023

Gene Dorris

February 15, 2023

Gene Dorris

February 15, 2023

From Ok State VIce President of the Student Senate to retired Harvard Law School lawyer, our Delta Chi brother achieved the best in life. He will be sadly missed.

Patrick MacKenzie

January 17, 2023

During the 80´s and 90´s I supervised the Nuisance Abatement and Housing Code Enforcement programs in the Division of Environmental Health for the Combined Health District of Montgomery County. Each month my inspectors would present me with cases of substandard housing and other deteriorated structures throughout the townships, villages and cities that circled Dayton, Oakwood and Kettering. Together, we would determine if the property should be condemned as a public nuisance by the Board of Health. A portfolio of each case was created that contained legal efforts on the part of the inspector to bring the property back into compliance, pictures denoting the lack of cooperation and other evidence. That packet was then shared with Ken Dahms for consideration of presentation at monthly Board meetings.
Ken scrutinized every case. He was the best editor and wordsmith you could ask for and over the years he helped me standardize legal orders of condemnation to be passed by the health board. Code enforcement was always the last agenda item and Ken would preside over the list of properties. Each inspector would lay out their cases before the Board in similar fashion and they were always prepared when an owner might come to a board meeting to refute the proceedings. With Ken´s help and attention to detail, we were able to remove hundreds of unsafe and substandard structures throughout the County.
Ken was smart and gentlemanly, he had a great sense of humor but was always serious concerning health department operations. He was approachable and caring. I think all the professional careers of the people that worked with him were enhanced because of his interaction. And hey, he liked to play golf as well as run. It was a privilege to have lived, worked and played with Ken Dahms.
Patrick MacKenzie

Michael Hughes

January 14, 2023

Ken and I were connected through another deceased Dayton distance running legend and my running buddy, Lloyd Laubach. I recently discovered a photo of Ken and his wife presenting Lloyd his award as an inductee into the Dayton Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1989. Although I did not know Ken, he lived in Yellow Springs, my original hometown when he passed. However, our paths did literally cross as we both ran the 1978, 1979 and 1980 Dayton River Corridor Classics. My condolences to Ken's family and friends. I wish that I had known and spent time with him.

Rick Schoby

January 11, 2023

What a nice guy he will truly be missed, wishing his family all the best

Steve Cyester

January 11, 2023

Ken was always such a huge presence in the Miami Valley running community. I ran with/against Ken in many races and he always impressed (and kicked my butt). What a great ambassador he was for the sport. Sorry to see him leave so soon.

Bonnie Owens

January 6, 2023

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

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