Kenneth Allen Fowler

Kenneth Allen Fowler, ""Ken"", of Barnstable, MA passed away on July 17, 2025 at the age of 88. Ken was born in Upton, MA on March 15, 1937 to the late Theodore and Barbara (Allen) Fowler.

A metallurgical engineer by schooling, he was an eager gardener (a gift from his mother Barbara) and talented woodworker (from his father Ted). He and his wife Joyce renovated and decorated several houses and built beautiful gardens on the properties. They traveled the world both on his business trips and on their vacations, visiting Japan, the Greek isles, and several countries in Europe.

Ken loved being on Cape Cod, often vacationing here and eventually moving to Barnstable with Joyce, despite having to commute to work in Waltham every day! He would describe feeling a wave of relaxation when he crossed the bridge on the way home each evening. Ken loved boating, clamming, and paddling around Barnstable harbor.

Professionally, Ken left his mark in the NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Industry. In the early 1970's Ken joined one of the most innovative companies in the NDT space, Panametrics. He started as an inventor of ultrasonic transducers and over several decades eventually became the leader of its NDT Division. Panametrics (now named Evident) has now grown to be the leader in the NDT field largely grounded in much of the work done by Ken in its earliest years. There are some transducers that Ken designed that have often been copied but never duplicated in their quality and performance capabilities. Even though Ken began in the science of its innovations, remarkably he had a personality that guided him into leadership and was hands down one of the finest people and leaders anyone would be lucky enough to have been supported by.

As a result, in addition to his contributions to NDT, he mentored and imparted his wisdom on many. For those that had the pleasure of working with him, the sentiment is the same. He was acutely unaware of the numerous lives he impacted and the people he affected. The people that worked with him strived to accomplish goals because of the motivation that Ken instinctively inspired. He was humble, never thought of himself as 'better' than others, provided guidance and mentored many that have gone on to become successful business leaders today. His leadership style will live on with many that learned from ""The Best"".

As much as Ken enjoyed his career, he truly enjoyed being retired, free to travel and focus on his gardening, woodworking and home renovations. A quiet and generous man, he was deeply committed to his faith community. With the gift of hospitality, he and his wife Joyce often hosted church gatherings in their home by the water he loved. Ken served faithfully on the Brewster Baptist Church's leadership council and the Building and Grounds team. Ken was always willing to lend a hand where it was needed most. He valued the relationships he made, especially with his small group. His legacy of kindness, service, and quiet faith will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

After Joyce had a devastating fall and brain injury in 2015, Ken devoted himself to her 24-hour care, even as he himself began to experience symptoms of dementia. The consummate manager, all plans for this eventuality were prepared for and put in place. His final years were consumed with her care and his ongoing deterioration from the intelligent, impactful man that everyone knew. And yet, throughout, he was kind and considerate to his family, friends and caregivers.

Ken is predeceased by his parents, his wife Joyce, a stepson, and a stepdaughter. He is survived by his brother, his son, his daughter and stepdaughter, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren (and counting).