Kenneth "Ken" Gerondale Sr.

Apr 19, 1929 -

Jun 12, 2020

After a very full life, Kenneth L. Gerondale Sr. - not to be confused with his son, Kenneth L. Gerondale Jr. - passed away of natural causes in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 12, 2020, at age 91.

Ken led the kind of pioneering, adventurous life that created the legends of Alaska's mid-century years. He was born in Wisconsin on April 19, 1929, and spent his early years there. Raised by parents, aunts and uncles, he left home, lied about his age, and enlisted in what was then the Army Air Corps in 1944. He learned to fly in the service, stationed in China until 1947, during the Chinese Civil War. A transfer to Elmendorf Airforce Base in 1948 brought him to Alaska.

After leaving the service, Ken flew as a bush pilot for Sea Airmotive from 1949 to 1953 with fellow aviator Ward Gay. One highlight in those years was Ken's role in 1951 rescuing the pilot of a jet-propelled military aircraft that had crashed and ripped apart in a wooded swamp. Ken, then age 22, and Ward responded to the scene by seaplane. Along with other rescuers they made their way through flames that reached 30-feet and exploding machine-gun ammunition. Ken grabbed the burning ammunition magazine and threw it into the woods and, together, the rescuers removed a tree that trapped the pilot in the cockpit. The pilot survived and Ken was awarded the Carnegie Medal for his heroism.

Following his bush pilot years, Ken worked for Alaska Aggregate Corporation and the Teamsters Training trust, finally retiring in 1987.

Ken married Patricia Aylward in 1949, and she predeceased him in 2004. Together they had three sons: Ken Jr., Bob and Rich. Ken spent the last years of his life married to Evelyn (Evie) Givens, who survives him. In addition to his sons and Evie, Ken is also survived by his sisters, Sandi and Pat; seven grandchildren, Chad Gerondale, Chris Gerondale, Katy Gerondale, Heath Gerondale, Hilary Lockhart, Richie Gerondale and Kari Corbin; and nine great-grandchildren, Blaine Gerondale, Sawyer Gerondale, Grayden Gerondale, Shaw Gerondale, Bryce Croft, Faith Lockhart, Makayla Lockhart, Ireland Lockhart and Lux Lockhart.

Having survived war, years as a bush pilot and displays of heroism, Ken spent his last few decades more sedately, enjoying gardening, fishing with his three sons, and flying with Ken Jr. To the joy of those around him, Ken never lost his sharp tongue, vibrant personality and great sense of humor.

The family plans to celebrate Ken's life with a big party later this year or as circumstances allow.

There is no need for flowers, but the family is sure Ken would appreciate donations to Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska: https://www.alzalaska.org/.