Kenneth Laufer

1937 - 2015

On Jan. 19, 2015, after a life well lived, Kenneth Simon "Opa" Laufer, M.D., 77, returned to the cosmos. His journey began on Nov. 29, 1937, in Trenton, N.J., born to Margaret (McNamara) and Milton Laufer. Shortly after his arrival, the family relocated to Jackson Heights, N.Y., where Milton, a Big Band musician, could be closer to his work. Five years later, the Laufer's welcomed a new baby girl, Kathleen Ann. Ken adored his little sister, and the siblings remained close for the rest of their lives. Ken attended Public School 69 and William Bryant High School, where his outstanding intellect and love of science blossomed. He always performed at the top of his class. Kathy remembers hearing his physics teacher comment that they had to do extra studying to keep up with this brilliant student. As a young man, Ken yearned for the Great Outdoors and, after graduation, he enrolled in Forestry School in upstate New York. He went on to Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and a master's degree in Entomology. Ken worked for the Park Service as a ranger and firefighter, adventuring around the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, a land he fell in love with and to which he vowed to return. In the meantime, his mother had decided to pursue a degree in nursing. It was while helping Margaret with her studies that Ken discovered what would become his life's passion, medicine. He was soon accepted to Downstate Medical in New York. Enjoying his studies, but dreaming of living closer to nature, he arranged for a transfer to the University of Washington. Shortly before setting out, he met Stephanie Berkowitz, the young woman who would become his wife and the mother of his three children. The couple moved west. Their first child, Noah, was born in Seattle, Wash., and their daughter, Rebekah, arrived while the family lived in Portland, Ore. To help pay for his studies, Ken had enlisted in the Air Force and in 1968, after many requests, he was finally transferred to Alaska. His youngest, Ethan, was born at EAFB a year later. As sometimes happens, the couple had their struggles, and after ten years of marriage, Ken and Stephanie separated. The two remained close, bonded by shared life experience and love for each other and for their children. Ken was now a single father with three young children to raise while working long hours to help establish what would become Medical Park Family Care. His sister, Kathy, had followed her big brother to Alaska, and in witnessing her brother's efforts to provide a stable home life for his children, she made the decision to help. Kathy, her husband, Eldon Elder and her son, Marc Pellicciaro, joined the household. Ken and Kathy's parents soon followed their children to Anchorage. When Margaret passed in 1978, Milton moved in with the family. Ken thoroughly enjoyed his life, making friends wherever he went. When he wasn't "saving lives and stamping out disease," he spent his days with friends and family, seeking out powder stashes on his mono-ski and exploring the far corners of Alaska and the world beyond. In 1991, he met Gisela Harris, who became his sweetheart and favorite adventure companion. Gisela stayed by Ken's side for the remainder of his life, becoming a beloved family member and the much adored "Oma" to his grandchildren. In 2000, much to his delight, his son, Noah, joined his practice and in 2005, after over three decades at Medical Park, Ken retired from medicine. Ken and Gisela had planned to travel the world, but as Ken was often heard to say, "Life is what happens while you're making other plans." It soon became apparent that this wonderful man was slipping away, and in 2009, Ken was officially diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's disease. The family continued to come together, holding frequent gatherings and spending as much time as possible with him for the remaining years of his life. He is survived by his sister, Kathy Elder; his sweetheart, Gisela Harris; his children and their spouses, Noah and Michelle Laufer, Rebekah and Benjamin Garnett and Ethan Laufer and Valerie Truncali; his nephew, Marc Pellicciaro; his grandchildren, Ellie, Max, Abby, Sam and another soon-to-be-born grandson; along with countless others who knew and loved him. There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at 1 p.m., at the Kincaid Chalet. Please join us. Mark your calendars, and bring your favorite Ken story.