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Kenneth Bader Obituary
Bader, Kenneth L.
a longtime resident of Chesterfield, Missouri, died peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the age of 90. Ken was born May 4, 1934 in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, OH to Troy and Clara Walter Bader. Ken, the youngest of 7 siblings, grew up on the family farm, hunting for arrowheads and doing chores. He attended Carroll High School and The Ohio State University (OSU) where he received his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. His doctorate focused on agronomy, and he was instrumental in starting the turf research program at OSU. He later served as a professor of agronomy and then dean of students. In 1973, he left Columbus and became vice chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After a distinguished career in higher education, Ken was hired as CEO of the American Soybean Association (ASA), which brought him to St. Louis in 1977. As head of the ASA, Ken received multiple honors including: St. Louis Agribusiness Club's Agribusiness Leader of the Year, National Agri-Marketer of the Year and American Agricultural Editors Association's Agri-marketer of the Year. He was designated by President Reagan in 1984 to be a Member of the National Commission on Agricultural Trade and Export Policy. In 2022, he received the United Soybean Board's inaugural Tom Oswald Legacy Award for his commitment and steadfast efforts to advance the soybean industry.
Ken was a loyal Ohio State Buckeyes fan, attending games in the horseshoe for decades. He loved watching Cardinals baseball games every summer. An avid golfer, Ken shot his age several times into his 80s.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Linda Silbaugh Bader. They met as undergrads at OSU and recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.
Also surviving are sons Brad (Debra) Bader and Brent (Ann) Bader, 6 grandchildren: Lauren (Tomas Kuzvard) Bader, Alex (Izabella) Bader, Jackie (Ricky) Morris, Adrienne Bader, Audrey Bader, and Evan (Charlotte) Goguillon-Bader, and 4 great-grandchildren: Julian, Nolan and Rowan Morris, and Sofie Kuzvard.
He is also survived by his sister Rita Ricketts. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Dorothy Gilbert, Carl Bader, Miriam Elder, Frances Mouch, and Walter Bader.
Services: A memorial service will be held at the Friendship Village Chapel in Chesterfield, Missouri at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The Ohio State University Alumni Club of St. Louis at 15004 Claymont Estates Dr., Chesterfield, Mo. 63017.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Bader
1 Entry
Keith Lovin
November 10, 2024
Ken Bader was on the Board at Maryville University when I became president in 1992. He was a wise man, a seasoned and successful academic, an influential board member and, above all, a dear friend and mentor. He understood the nature of the Academy. He understood timing. He was hugely supportive and helpful as we engaged in and then implemented a long-range strategic plan, established institutional goals, and created a new Mission Statement for the University during the first two years of my presidency. I shall always remember Ken as a wise counselor, a superbly intelligent and insightful academician and, most of all, as my trusted friend.
Keith Lovin
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