Kenneth Stein

1954 - 2018

The great Doctor Kenneth Stein, born on May 6th, 1954, went to a better place at the age of 64 on Wednesday, July 18th 2018 at his home in Chicago, Illinois. He was surrounded by his 3 adoring sons, Brett, Dixon, Mac and his loving and dearest partner, Bregetta "Skeeter" Robinson. Kenneth was an exemplary Medical Doctor. He earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University and went on to study medicine at Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University in Chicago. As a freshman, he served as President of his class. He did residencies in Otolaryngology at Loyola University Affiliated Hospital in Maywood, Illinois and Plastic Surgery at the University of Louisville Hospitals in Louisville, Kentucky. He completed fellowships in Microsurgery at Amelia Brown Frazier Hospital and the University of Louisville Hospitals. He further advanced his skill set at the Clinique Belvedere and Hospital Des Enfant Malades in Paris, France. He held certifications from the Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He was a member of The American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The American College of Surgeons, The American Medical Association, The Chicago Medical Society, The Chicago Society of Plastic Surgery, The Illinois State Medical Society, Lipoplasty Society, Inc., The Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons and The Latin American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Indeed, he had a passion for surgery and cared deeply about his patients. Beyond Ken's outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, he was most proud of his three sons: Calvin Brett Kirchdorfer, Dixon McQuaid Stein and Mackendrick McKay Ladwig Stein. Predeceased by his father, Clement McQuaid Stein, Jr., mother, Marion Stein and brothers, Kimber and Jim Stein, he leaves behind his siblings, Monica Sica, Marilee Shannon (Bob), Margie Silverman (Terry), Nancy Devinney (John), Clem (Kevin) Stein, Sisters in Law, Carol Stein and Alison Stein, and his nieces and nephews, Melanie Joseph, Nicole Sawtell, Allyson Lazzara, Scott Shannon, Megan Musacchio, Karilee Shannon, Michael Hankin, Katie Randall, Lauren Devinney, Lisa Devinney and Clement Stein, IV. He also left behind extended aunts and uncles, great nieces, nephews and cousins, and beloved friends, all of whom he dearly loved and cherished. Ken's hobbies, interests and passions added to the richness of his life. He was on the swimming and diving team at Downers Grove North High School. He continued his diving career at Brown University and was elected captain of his team. His love of sports would continue through cars and horse racing; he bought a 1970 GTO and went on to have a 2007 Mustang GT500. He attended the Kentucky Derby for over 35 years. He was a Chicago Bears season ticket holder for over 30 years. Ken's life took a real turn after the Bears won the Super Bowl in 1985; he became a Chicago man! He went on to join his Father's (Clement) golf course at Beverly Country Club where he made many friends and had many cherished moments. He became a wine aficionado and member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux Wine Society of Chicago. He also bought a small ownership in Diversey River Bowl where he loved to bowl and sing Happy Birthday to strangers and friends alike. No matter where he was, Ken was always a singer and a showman. One of his most beautiful qualities was the desire to make people happy and to entertain them. His motivation to be a performer came from Elvis but his songs transcended genre; he did a mean rendition of "Secret Agent Man." He truly was "sweeter than wine." Ken was a humble man with a character beyond reproach and an enormous smile. He was genuinely thrilled by the triumph and success of others and pained by their troubles. He was a passionate friend to a diverse and grand collection of people from all walks of life. An intensely charitable and loving man, Ken brought an extraordinary positive light to the world. Every year he traveled with Hearts in Motion, a mission group, providing surgery to Central Americans in need. Ken's larger-than-life presence will be missed but he will live on through those whose lives he touched. In Lieu of flowers, Ken asked donations be made to Hearts in Motion, 2210 Highway 41, Schereville, Indiana, 46375. A celebration of Ken's life will be held at the Beverly Country Club between 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on August 18th, 2018.