Kenneth Hart

1939 - 2023

Kenneth Hart
September 8, 1939 - August 16, 2023
Fresno, California - Kenneth Lee Hart passed away on August 16, 2023 after a short illness.
He is survived by his longtime companion Patricia Wynne, his nephew Bradley W. Hart, his brother Dennis Hart, his sister-in-law Sharon Hart, his niece Amy Hart, and many friends who miss him.
Born in South San Francisco in 1939 to Mary Christina Schmall and Henry Hart, Ken moved with his family to Fresno as a child. He attended Fresno High School and graduated in 1957. He went on to attend Fresno State College where he obtained a BA in Social Science in 1961.
Ken volunteered to serve his country in Vietnam in the Army Signal Corps from 1962 to 1964 and was stationed in Saigon. After being honorably discharged and returning to the United States he married Sherloy "Sherry" Russell in 1966. The union ended in divorce in 1976.
Ken's career took him first to Reedley High School from 1964 to 1968 where he taught history, English, math and science - and coached the baseball team. Sports was always a passion, including his affinity for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In 1967, Ken completed a Master's Degree in United States history at Fresno State College. The following year he took a job as an instructor at Merced College. In 1972 he was appointed chair of the Social Science Division. He was later honored as Merced College's Instructor of the Year in 1992, 1994, and 1998. Ken continued teaching until his retirement in 2001.
Beyond reading and teaching history, Ken's passion was politics. He volunteered for Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign before serving as a leader in the local Democratic Party and as an alternate delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention. In 1975 he ran for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in a special election.
In 1978 Ken entered the political consulting realm. In that role he advised candidates for offices ranging from the Board of Supervisors to the California State Assembly and the halls of Congress. Ken and his business partner Dalton Moore became widely known for producing effective campaign materials and hard-hitting radio and television advertisements.
Ken particularly enjoyed providing political advice, and sports insights, to his longtime friend Rick Lehman throughout his career as a member of the California State Assembly and the United States Congress. Ken also enjoyed watching sports and talking politics with his close friend Jim Costa, California State Assembly Member and, later, Member of Congress.
In addition to teaching and consulting, Ken was appointed as a Probate Referee in 1977. He served the residents of Fresno County and California in that capacity until 1997.
That same year, Ken and Patricia "Pat" Wynne began a relationship.
Ken and Pat loved to travel – and travel they did.
For two decades they globetrotted to all seven continents, visiting far-flung destinations including Pakistan, China, Southeast Asia, and both the Arctic and the Antarctic. They took thousands of photos documenting their adventures and their memories.
When they weren't traveling the world, Ken and Pat enjoyed spending time with their cats, Elliott and Fiona, both of whom predeceased him.
Ken is missed by his family, friends, and all those he advised, mentored, and inspired. He lived a full life and, to borrow from Paul Anka and Frank Sinatra, he did it "My Way."
A private celebration of life will be held for friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ken Hart's name to The Cat House on the Kings, Valley Animal Center, Doctors Without Borders, or the Clovis Botanical Garden.