Kenneth I. Bird Sr.

BIRD, Kenneth I., Sr. Kenneth Irving Bird, Sr., 96, of Higganum, formerly of Manchester, husband of the late Helen (Anderson) Bird and Mildred (Halliden) Bird, died Saturday, (June 11, 2005), at Middlesex Hospital. He was born in Stoughton, MA, son of the late Alton and Mabel (Crocker) Bird. He had worked for the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Division of United Technologies Corp. for 44 years, retiring in 1973, as Chief of Overhaul, Liaison for the Product Support Dept. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering form Northeastern University in Boston, MA, the class of 1930. He had joined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in 1928 at the Capitol Avenue Plant while still attending college, on the Northeastern University Co-operative Work Plan; and worked in the Crankshaft Dept. and the Experimental Assembly Dept. After graduating from college he worked in the Experimental Dept., Production Assy. Dept. Production Test Dept., Inspection Dept., and Service Dept. He was Pratt & Whitney Aircraft's first Test Inspector in the Production Test Dept., in 1936. He was foreman of inspection in Production Assy. and Test in 1938; was supervisor of Production Test in 1941, and transferred to the Service Dept. in 1944, as Liaison Representative on Overhaul Problems. He assisted with early test operations at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Licensee Plants of Ford, Buick, and Chevrolet during World War II. He traveled for 30 years for Pratt & Whitney, and was well known as Pratt & Whitney's specialist on engine overhaul problems at military and commercial airline shops in the United States and throughout the world, where Pratt & Whitney engines were maintained. After retiring from Pratt & Whitney, he had joined the Central Engineering Company of Minneapolis, MN, in 1974 as consultant on aircraft engine testing and test cells. He was a member of the Society of Mechanical Engineers, and had been active in the SAE for over 50 years. He was member of the Center Congregational Church in Manchester and also a life member of the Stoughton, MA historical society. He is survived by his daughter, Priscilla Harris and her husband Lawson of Scotia, NY; three sons, Dr. Kenneth I. Bird, Jr. and his wife Mary of Higganum, Douglas A. Bird and his wife Sue of Aptos, CA and Richard C. Bird of Moodus; a sister, Dorothy Williams of Portland, OR; and six grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in East Cemetery, 240 East Center St., Manchester. Friends may call at the Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, Tuesday, from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown, CT 06457.