Kenneth L. Ferstl

Kenneth L. Ferstl

Kenneth L. Ferstl died September 20, 2018 in Denton, TX. He was born on May 31, 1940 in Richland Center, Wisconsin to Joseph Ferstl and Vera T. Grauvogl Ferstl.

Ken Ferstl received three academic degrees. He earned the Bachelor of Music degree in music education at what is now the University of North Texas. He worked at the Willis Library (UNT) as a cataloguer during 1963-64. He next studied for the Master of Library Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received the degree in 1967.

Ken and Sondra returned to Denton in 1969 where Ken was appointed an instructor in the School of Library & Information Sciences. Except for a stint as a librarian at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton, Ken taught at the University of North Texas for 20 1/2 years. He left in the early 1970s to study at Indiana University Bloomington where he received the Ph.D. in Library Science (1977).

Kens specialties in librarianship were cataloging and classification, public libraries, and young adult services. He was particularly active in the Texas Library Association, serving as Program Co-Chair for several of the annual conferences.

Following a stroke and brain aneurysm in 1993, Ken took disability retirement. He recovered sufficiently to travel with Sondra and to enjoy attending opera and theatre performances, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Ken also served two terms as chair of the Public Library Board.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sondra, his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Dick Abbott, and his brother, Allen Ferstl. He is survived by his twin sister Karen Ferstl; his sister Kolleen Johnson, his sister-in-law, Sue Ferstl, and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Roselawn Memorial Park, Denton.

Online condolences may be made at www.mulkeybowlesmontgomery.com