Kenneth Waterman Ragland

1935 - 2023

Kenneth Waterman Ragland

August 2, 1935 - September 1, 2023

MADISON - Kenneth Waterman Ragland, 88, of Madison, WI, passed away on September 1, 2023.

Born on August 2, 1935, in Evanston, IL, Ken was a highly intellectual and deeply caring individual who touched the lives of many. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandpa, uncle and friend.

Ken dedicated his professional life to academia and forward-thinking research. He attended Dartmouth College for his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering. At the age of 21, he married Nancy June Tuttle with whom he raised three daughters. Ken and Nancy were married 67 years.

After earning a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Dartmouth in 1958, Ken went on to earn a second Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. In August of 1958, Ken and Nancy moved to Point Magu, CA, where Ken worked as a propulsion engineer at the U.S. Naval Missile Center. After returning to Michigan, and earning his PhD, Ken participated as a research fellow at the Institute of Nuclear Physics in an exchange program between the National Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Ken, Nancy, Laura, and Lisa lived in Novosibirsk, USSR for nine months while he studied gas dynamics.

Ken's professional and personal interests led him to a career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he spent over 30 years conducting research and teaching. Ken's research was centered around fluid dynamics, combustion, air pollution control, and renewable energy. In 1995, Ken was chosen Department Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department. In 1999, Ken's career was recognized by UW-Madison with Emeritus status.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Ken was a loving, involved father with a zest for life and a love for the outdoors. He enjoyed sailing, canoeing, camping and cross-country skiing. Ken also had a playful side and delighted in telling jokes and playing games. He was an avid gardener and passionate about finding solutions to climate change, reflecting his deep concern for the environment.

Ken was a long-time member of the First Unitarian Society of Madison where he found friendship and community. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society of Madison.

Ken is survived by his wife, Nancy and their three daughters, Laura Ragland, Lisa Ragland, and Emily Reichard (Jamie); and four grandchildren, Dana Goodman, Isabella Goodman, Zach Reichard and Nick Reichard. He is also survived by his sister, Peg Shoosmith (John). Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothea Ragland; and his father, George Ragland.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to the First Unitarian Society in Ken's memory.