Kenneth Ray Mikkelsen

Kenneth Ray Mikkelsen was born on June 21, 1950, in the small village of Richland, WA and attended kindergarten and 1st grade in Richland. He was known to his friends and family as Ken. He passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side at home, on April 27th. 2023.
Ken spent his childhood years in a small village between the Vernita Bridge and Priest Rapids Dam, and attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. The family relocated to The Dalles, OR, where his father worked for Bonneville Power and Ken completed junior/high school. Ken studied Physics at the University of Oregon and after graduation attended Oregon State University for another degree in Engineering Physics. He passed the WA state exam and became a licensed Mechanical Engineer and utilized both degrees while working at N Reactor for UNC (later Westinghouse) and then transferred to Pacific National Laboratories for the remainder of his career. Ken was a lover of science.
Ken was an avid fisherman, hunter (birds mostly), white water rafter, scuba diver, handball player, skeet shooter, genealogist and was happiest when he was out boating on the rivers. He looked forward to the annual family events such as the Spring get together at Williams Lake where he and his cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and friends tried to out fish each other. It was a fishing/eating/joyous event and a great opportunity to brag and tease each other. He was a Mr. Fix-It guy a talent he inherited from his father (thank you LRay!) He loved wood working and was once approached by an uncle to build his casket, he declined.
He teased his medical staff (which he saw far too often) with a word of the day, which usually tested them with some antique and outdated medical term. Most played along, knowing he would be back next week with a new word. Those who enjoyed it the most learned to study outdated terminology and enjoyed his game often coming back with a "word" of their own.
He was also a voracious reader, and loved to constantly expand his mind with the writings of the great scholars and philosophers and scientists. He was a true Renaissance man - Someone who appreciated life and exemplified kindness and love to his family.
He is survived by a loving extended family: his wife Robin and dog Gypsy, his sister Katherine and her children: Kristi, Kerri, Kimberly and John.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 ~ 1:00pm at Hillcrest Funerals and Cremation, 9353 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick followed by Graveside services at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Kennnewick.