Kenneth Dean Robinson

Kenneth Dean Robinson, known to many people as the "Pork King", left this world peacefully on September 12, 2025, surrounded by family at Reflections Retirement Resort, Salina, KS.

Ken was born on August 17, 1940, to Alfred Kenneth Robinson and Adeline Pahls Robinson. Ken grew up in Cawker City, KS, the only boy amongst four sisters, and as such, was likely spoiled.

After graduating from Cawker City High School in 1958, Ken went to work for Richardson Manufacturing as a salesman. He had a gift for gab, and never knew a stranger, so being a salesman was a good fit for him. During this time Ken met and married Marie Wagner of Beloit, KS.

While working for Amy Disc Rollers in Dighton, KS, Ken was drafted and entered the US Army. He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC, from 1965-1967, as a member of the 48th Military Intelligence Group. He was very proud of his military service.

Upon his discharge from active duty, Ken returned to Kansas where he continued working in equipment sales for LESCO in Glasco, KS. After settling in Glasco, Ken and Marie welcomed two children, Stephanie and Ryan. Ken would end up purchasing LESCO and owned it until the 1980's farming crisis forced the closure of the business.

After the closure of LESCO, Ken went to work for Gayle and Irma Ethridge on their farm. This job led not only to a second career of being a cattleman, as it allowed him to build his own cattle herd, but also to a great friendship which would last years.

In 1977, Ken won the Kansas Pork Cookout King contest at the State Fair with his Made In the Shade Pork Steaks recipe. This win began his love of cooking pork for people, so he enlisted the talents of one of his LESCO employees, Lenny Becker, to build him a cooker on wheels with a spit basket that was large enough to hold a whole hog. Over the years, Ken would cook numerous whole hogs, so many Made In the Shade pork chops that he likely lost count of the number, and pork burgers for clubs and associations, football teams, and weddings and proms. As Ken got older, he often had the help of his son, Ryan, with the cooking. Ken was a proud supporter of the Kansas Pork Producers, and fed many people across Kansas, along with making a trip up into the mountains of Colorado to cook. This is what led to him being known to many people as the "Pork King".

During the early 1980s, after the dissolution of his marriage to Marie, Ken attended a Father's Day church service at the Glasco United Methodist Church with his daughter, Stephanie, and enjoyed it so much he became a member. For many years he was a very active participant in the church. He loved singing in the choir, cooking for the men's breakfasts, and the fellowship offered by all the parishioners.

Around this same time, Ken was introduced to Pauline Thompson Noble by a couple from Scott City who were mutual friends of both of them. Ken and Pauline would marry in 1985 and made their home in Glasco, KS until 2024 when they moved into assisted living at Reflections Retirement in Salina, KS. They were very devoted to each other and enjoyed 40 years together until his passing.

In his later years, Ken spent many hours working on the genealogy of his father's family and would often walk to cemeteries to find headstones and take pictures of them to upload for others who were doing genealogical research on their own families.

Ken was always quick with a smile and loved to have a hearty laugh with family and friends. He occasionally enjoyed a cold beer and liked to have a nightly glass of Merlot. He was almost always seen in a pearl snap shirt, short sleeved, and in his younger days he would cut the sleeves off for summer wear, along with a pair of cut-offs and his boots. His daughter always joked that Larry the Cable Guy copied her dad.

His family and friends will miss his euphemisms and metaphors, which he was famous for, and the giggling laughter he would get over certain jokes. His "sweetie", Pauline, will also miss his constant companionship and his unwavering loyalty.

Ken is survived by his wife, Pauline, of the home; his children, Stephanie Schmeck, Salina, KS, and Ryan Robinson, Beloit, KS; his grandchildren, Connor Schmeck, Salina, KS, Paige Delos Reyes, husband Alex, and new great grandson Kai, Lexington, KY, and Kamee Robinson, Hays, KS; sisters Nancy Robinson, Kansas City, MO, Jodi Pepper and husband Gene, West Warren, MA, and Karla Neighouse and husband Jim, Downs, KS; numerous nieces and nephews and cousins; his step daughters, Debbie Tegethoff and husband Don, Washington, KS, Tammy Reed and husband Arlen, Scott City, KS, and step daughter-in-law, Sis (Kathryn) Noble, of Colorado Springs, CO; numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Adeline and Kenneth, his sister DeeAnn Reiter, and his stepson Harlen Noble.

Ken chose direct cremation and requested no service. Condolences may be sent to Pauline, in care of Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401. The family would like to thank Reflections Retirement Resort and Gentiva Hospice for their wonderful care and support not only during Ken's passing, but also during the time he was a resident. He was cared for like a member of their own family, and we are eternally grateful.

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