Kenneth William Royer

1928 - 2017

Royer, Kenneth William

Kenneth William Royer, 88, passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Monday, January 30, 2017. Ken was born in Washington D.C. as the first child to Kenneth Metz and Irma Carolyn (Raver) Royer on August 31,1928. The family settled in Mayville, Wisconsin and founded Purity Cheese Company in 1936. As an active young man Ken excelled in the Boy Scouts of America program, earning Eagle Scout, the Silver Palm and membership in the Order of the Arrow. He was very involved in church life in Mayville and remained so throughout his long life. After graduating from Mayville High School in 1948, Ken pursued his college degree in Food Science at the Agriculture School at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1952.

While at university Ken became an active part of the music scene. As a trumpet player he participated in the University of Wisconsin marching band, and started a jazz band with friends playing at events throughout the campus community. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, an integral part of student government and graduated with academic honors. Upon graduation Ken moved to Mayville where he joined his father in the cheese business. Ken served in the Korean War in the food quality assurance area. On a business trip to Chicago he was set up on a blind date with Joanne Feller, a pediatric nurse at Michael Reese Hospital. Within his family the blind date is now famous, as Ken and Joanne recalled fun times at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. They wed in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on October 2, 1954 and remained married for fifty nine years until Joanne's passing in December, 2013.

During his twelve years as President of Purity Cheese Company the business grew to one of the largest specialty cheese companies in the United States. He led it in industry innovations in technology, packaging and branding. Many of these innovations remain popular today, such as whey protein powder, cold pack cheese, and European style cheeses made in the USA. His business career continued as the leader of EnzoPac, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a manufacturer of dry powdered foods.

Ken lived his life to the fullest within his family and in many of his outside interests. Everyone who knew him loved his warm welcoming ways. He was an avid tennis player and runner. He served in leadership roles on many boards including Wayland Academy, the Wisconsin and National Dairy Associations, Wisconsin Power and Light and others. One of his most notable volunteer accomplishments that he was most proud was his 50-year membership in Rotary Club. He was an active member of YPO, Young Presidents Organization; organizing conferences and traveling with his beloved Joanne was a lifelong love of his. He participated in his YPO Forum until his passing.

Ken is survived by his sisters Carolyn Jacobus (Richard), Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Jane Carter (Daniel), Mayville, Wisconsin, as well as his five children: Jeffrey (Julia), Toronto, Ontario; Lisa Machinis (Alex), Chicago; Vicki Bachmann (Brad), Dayton, Ohio; Jodi Barnard (Mark), Cupertino, California; and Scott (Julie Frank), Olympia, Washington. He is also survived by nine much-loved grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be held for Ken at Valley Presbyterian Church chapel in Paradise Valley, Arizona at 10:00am on February 6, 2017. On a future date to be determined, a service will be held at First Congregational Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, followed by burial in Woodland Cemetery, Kohler, Wisconsin. For those interested in the Wisconsin service honoring Ken, at the appropriate time the details will be noticed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Sheboygan Press, and the Mayville News. Alternatively please email KenRoyerService@icloud.com to receive notification of the date and other details.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be considered to the Mayville Historical Society, Mayville, Wisconsin (tinyurl.com/zg6e8pw) or the Westminster Village Library Department, Scottsdale, AZ (www.wmvaz.com/our-foundation/)