Kenneth S. Salzman

Kenneth S. Salzman

AGE: 85 • Wilmington, DE

Kenneth Stanley (Ken) Salzman, having lived a life of deep reflection and joy, passed from the material to the unobstructed universe on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at his home in Wilmington, DE. Ken was born in the Bronx, NY, where after serving in the US Army, he joined his father's plumbing business as a master plumber. In his 30's, happily married with two children, he discovered and cultivated a remarkable natural talent for sculpting and started to become conscious of the constant mental provocation of his naturally inquisitive mind.

Ken undertook a disciplined practice of meditation and, as related in his 2006 book "My Second Life," after about two years of contemplation was spiritually 'reborn' at the age of 43. Contemplating the nature of time, he wrote that "God gave me the true time, this ever-present moment, to live within. God proclaimed, "I am that I am." For as long as this moment continues to exist, I will continue to exist. My imagination and my creativity had been imprisoned by linear beliefs. Now both my imagination and my creativity have been re-inspired by the truth of God's ever-present moment. This truth had freed my soul and made me, and all of us, immortal." On his own, with no formal training in philosophy, Ken discovered a paradigm contemplated by philosophers for millennia. His book closes as follows: "I believe that this is the philosophic paradigm whose time has come. It is a liberating and self-generating idea filled with compassion and hope that has the power to uplift and unite people. Understanding this paradigm will allow us to better understand ourselves and make us realize that there is no ending, only new beginnings."

Ken had an incessant inclination to ponder what his life circumstance and experience brought to him. Having such a natural propensity and, moreover, respecting and cultivating it ingenuously, honestly and joyously and without any pretension regarding himself nor apprehension arising out of his acknowledged limitations with formal academic achievement, this was his special gift.

Ken continued to write until his last few days with us. He further enriched our world with sculptures and readings of his written works. Visit www.kensalzman.com and search under Ken's name on YouTube for a sampler. Ken was proud to have helped people with their plumbing problems as well, and enjoyed examples of creativity and love applied in all vocations and enterprises.

Behind in this obstructed universe he leaves his wife, Judith Jaeger, daughter and son-in-law Januari (nee Salzman) and Chris Pakrul, son and daughter-in-law Lon and Karen (nee Vitulano) Salzman, grandchildren Chloe and Ian Salzman, nephew David Weiss and nieces Zoe and Clea Weiss, parents-in-law Elise and Jacques Jaeger and their children and grandchildren, beloved friend and spiritual brother Mark Ast and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He joins his parents, Bernard and Doris Salzman (nee Abramson) and first wife Ina along with beloved friend Erica Metzig through whom he met his wife Judy.

Services were held privately at the Beth El Cemetery, Paramus, NJ.

The family wishes to thank friends and neighbors for an outpouring of support and love that has touched us deeply and is a testament to Ken's legacy, a 'life worth living'. Memorials to Ken can be made by planting a tree in Israel (www.jnf.org).

Arrangements by

YASIK FUNERAL HOME

Stanley S. Yasik, Inc.

Newark, DE

(302)737-4444