Kenneth Eugene Ruminer

Kenneth Eugene Ruminer was born on December 21,1928 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away at the age of 94 on February 15, 2023. Kenneth was raised in Indiana where his inclination to fix and figure was fostered in the machine shop of his maternal grandfather. Kenneth graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in 1947. Then he attended Purdue University, where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Kenneth joined the Air Force after college and was honorably discharged in 1953. He then went to work at the Pantex Ordinance Plant outside Amarillo, Texas. It was in Amarillo that Kenneth met the love of his life, Betty Ruth Harris.
Kenneth and Betty were married on August 20, 1954 and had three children. In 1965, Kenneth moved his family to Seabrook, Texas where he worked for Kentron Hawaii LTD and Graham Engineering, both being sub-contractors at NASA-JSC. He finished his professional career as the Physical Plant Director at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston from 1973 through 1985. Kenneth was a charter member of both Clear Lake Masonic Lodge #1417 and Tranquility Masonic Lodge #2000. He and Betty were founding members of Taylor Lake Christian Church where they served in various capacities for over fifty-five years. Kenneth's hobbies included flying as a private pilot, fishing, boating, camping, and RVing. He was fascinated by electronics including being an amateur HAM radio operator and using some of the first computers. He built the family's first color television. Kenneth and Betty enjoyed traveling to all fifty states and the Panama Canal.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Betty Ruth Harris Ruminer, his father Charles Rhein Ruminer, his mother Murrel Hedderich Ruminer Scholz, and brothers Charles Lee Ruminer and William Lee (Bill) Ruminer. He is survived by his children, Lynn Ann Ruminer Hicks and husband Paul, Richard Craig Ruminer and wife Kimberlee, and Robert Douglas Ruminer and wife Anne. Kenneth's grandchildren include Betsy Hicks, Suzy Foley and husband James, Molly Kreis and husband Justin, Jessica Smith and husband Kalen, Katherine Becvar and husband Austin, Nikki Bernal and husband Isaiah, Sam Mullenax and wife Chelsea, and Jessica Mullenax. Kenneth has nine great grandchildren: Leila, Jenna, Hannah, Addison, Khai, Avery, Jozie, Clayton, and Kendall.