Kenneth R Koppenjan

From the moment I came into the Koppenjan family, Ken was welcoming, kind & loving to me. He and Diane not only loved me, but also loved my grown kids Jack & Dani and referred to them as their "grandchildren". This meant the world to me as their other grandparents have been gone for years. Having "new" grandparents even as adults filled a void for them. Through the years, he & I shared a special bond.
He was a devoted and loving husband and later would became Diane´s main caregiver when her dementia was progressed, taking over the daily household chores & cooking. He always maintained his structured schedules and ran a "tight ship"...no one was allowed load empty the dishwasher, but him and dinner needed to be served by 5 pm which we always obliged. Soon I was able to enter "his kitchen" and cook for them and even empty the dishwasher, etc. As much as his early morning footsteps and clanking of dishes drove us/me crazy at times when we wanted to sleep in, I will miss hearing those things from the guest bedroom.
I have many memories that I will cherish with him. One of my most cherished memories with him was when Dani & I went to visit him on Labor Day weekend (also the 1 year anniversary of Diane´s passing) I brought a book Dani had made for me which was full of stories of my life. When we returned from kayaking, he was outside waiting for us. When I walked up the driveway, he walked over to me and said "I read your entire book, I had no idea all that you´ve been through and gave me a tight hug saying he was so sorry I grew up without a father in my life, etc." I said "it´s ok cuz I have you now" Another is the night before he passed away, we had what I called a "sleepover" as I laid in his bed next to his hospital bed monitoring him I let him know I was there for him & told him how grateful I was to have had him in my life.
I have shared some special times with him that I will cherish forever.
Rest in Peace Dad

At a Koppenjan home dinner (Brian's parents were wonderfully hospitable to starving college students), Ken told a story about how a young engineer was showing off a new fancy Rolex watch to "everybody". So, Ken asked the young engineer "what time you got?" To which the young upstart answered "three fifteen", and Ken replied "same as my Timex." (while displaying a well worn wind up time piece that's likely been on his wrist forever). The playful gleam and wry smile on Ken's face have stayed with me. It's easy to see where Brian got some of his humor. Ken was a good man, and he left behind three good men.

Ken was my second dad. I grew up a lot in his home. He was a role model in too many ways too count. Ken was devoted to his family, his faith, and his moral compass. Just a good, good man.