Kenneth J. "Ken" Kaiser

1945 - 2017

Kaiser, Kenneth J.

Greece: Kenneth John Kaiser, 72, of Rochester New York passed away August 8th 2017. "Kenny" Kaiser, son of Kenneth Sr. and Annette Kaiser, was a loving father, iconic Major League Baseball umpire and philanthropist who supported endowments for young people in need of homes, love and support. Kaiser, who recently fell ill, passed away peacefully at his home in the town of Greece. His long time companion Cheryl Bogner, daughter Lauren (Derek) Kaiser Nelson and son John Kaiser survive him. His half-brother David Kaiser also survives him. For more information about Ken please visit www.bartolomeo.com

Ken Kaiser was a charismatic umpire who roughed it on the back roads of small-town America during a 13-season stretch in the minor leagues. His stint in the International League brought him to Puerto Rico, where the umps were often met with flying beer bottles from the grandstands before the start of the National Anthem. In 1977 Kaiser's life long dream came true. He was called up to the big leagues and spent the next 23 years of a storied career working two World Series, an All-Star game and multiple American League championship series. Kaiser was regarded as one of the best 'balls and strikes' umpires of his era. For a decade straight, he hosted the Ken Kaiser Sports Celebrity Night. This one of kind charity event brought the biggest baseball and pro wrestling stars of the 80's & 90's to Rochester, to help benefit the Villa of Hope, a shelter for children in need. Nolan Ryan, Don Mattingly, Mike "Pags" Pagliarulo, George Brett, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Road Warriors, Hawk & Animal and Big John Studd were frequent headliners.

The 1999 MLB season would be Kaiser's last. He worked over 3000 games and always loved the comradery that he felt with fellow umpires especially, Ted Barrett, Eric Gregg & Bill Haller. In April of 2003 Kaiser published his autobiography, a classic baseball tale called, "Planet of the Umps." He also loved his corvette, which he drove to Lake George every summer. Nothing made Kenny happier than traveling with Cheryl and spending time with his children. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and will always be remembered as the funniest guy in the room and a larger than life figure on the baseball diamond. The Kaiser family would like to thank the following caregivers, Dr. Mellissa A Mroz, Dr. Ronald Schwartz, Dr. Steven Wittlin.

Ken's visitation will be Sunday 12-5 PM at the Funeral Home, 1411 Vintage Lane, (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.). His Funeral Mass will be Monday 9:30 AM at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Rd., immediately followed by his entombment in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to UMPS Care Charity, 301 Holly Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037 or to B.A.T., 245 Park Ave., New York, NY 10167 in Ken's memory.