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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Sep '94
Kenneth John Steen No.15446 Class of 1946
Died 27 July 1992 at Bellevue, Washington, aged 69 years
Interment: Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Bellevue, Washington.
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Kenneth John (Ken) Steen was born 2 June 1923 in
Warroad, Minnesota. His family moved to the West Coast in 1924
and later, his father worked for the Department of Agriculture,
moving frequently. Ken attended four different high schools in
three different states, graduating from Roosevelt High School,
Seattle, Washington in 1941. He attended the University of Washington
before entering the Army as an enlisted man. On 1 July 1943,
Ken entered West Point to join the Class of 1946.
Beast Barracks was a shock to Ken, as it was to
many of his classmates. He liked to say that he survived the
experience through sheer force of will. From then on, cadet life
was a breeze. One of his roommates, Thomas M. (Tom) Huddleston,
recalled: "Traits that Ken displayed as a cadet continued
throughout his life. He graduated in the top 25 percent but he
never tried to impress anyone. He accomplished what he set out
to do in a quiet, confident way. You knew Ken could be depended
on. He was enthusiastic without being flamboyant. He was a generous
friend, had a great sense of humor and was fun to be with."
At graduation, Ken was commissioned a second lieutenant in the
Field Artillery.
He took time out to marry Sylvia Kinsey (Peggy)
Paris in Seattle, Washington on 29 July 1947. Ken's first assignment
was to the US Army Constabulary in Germany, assigned to the 517th
Field Artillery Battalion. In 1950, Ken attended the Artillery
School at Fort Bliss. With a short tour to the 11th Airborne
Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky sandwiched between, he returned
to the Artillery School at Fort Sill. In 1953, Ken went to Korea
to serve with Headquarters, I Corps. In 1954, Ken was assigned
to the staff and faculty, Artillery School, Fort Bliss.
Classmate and fellow Artillery officer Frank C.
Schoen recalled: "In the late 50s and early 60s, our careers
followed identical tracks. In 1956, Ken was assigned to the Corporal
Missile System training detachment in charge of training on the
external guidance system. These were exciting, interesting and
rewarding times to be involved with guided missiles. Ken and
I were selected as cadre for the Army's first Jupiter missile
battalion. This required going to Redstone Arsenal for the necessary
training. At about the time the course ended, we were informed
that the Air Force, not the Army, would man this unit. Since
we were near the end of our tours, we remained at Redstone where
we taught Jupiter to the Air Force and Redstone to the Army.
A few months later we received new orders, Ken to the Army Ballistic
Missile Agency and I to Army Ordnance Missile Command, both at
Redstone. Here began one of the most enjoyable and rewarding
assignments of our careers. At that time, the German rocket scientists,
headed by Dr. Von Braun, still worked for the Army. Ken frequently
briefed these individuals as to the user's point of view on various
matters. His job was to resolve all disagreements between user
and developer. He did this to perfection. When our tours ended
in 1961, we both transferred to Ordnance."
From Redstone, the Steens returned to Germany where
Ken was executive officer of the 61st Artillery and then commanded
the 72nd Ordnance Battalion. In 1964 he attended C&GSC before
being assigned to the Atomic Energy Commission. In 1968, Ken
served in Korea with the Eighth Army Support Command. His final
assignment before retiring in 1971 as a colonel was with the
Army Materiel Command.
The Steens retired in Seattle where Ken obtained
a masters in sanitary engineering. His career in civilian life
is best described by Mr. John O. Fish, Department of Environmental
Health and Safety, University of Washington. "I was struggling
to put together a new unit at the University of Washington. I
received a call from the dean of engineering, who said he had
a student graduating with a masters in sanitary engineering.
He told me, 'Ken Steen is the person you need on your staff.'
He was right. We were a struggling new entity. Ken truly made
a difference. Ken was particularly adept at taking charge in
emergencies such as fire, explosions and toxic spills. His leadership
was a major factor in our department becoming recognized nationwide.
Some people do better than others in living a significant life.
Ken sure left his mark in that respect. It was a privilege to
know him, work with him and have him as a friend."
One of Ken's subordinates at the University of
Washington, Kimball E. Jones, wrote: "When I first knew
Ken, he was assistant director, Environmental Health and Safety.
He became director about two years before he retired. His door
always was open, and he encouraged communication with his staff.
He took the time to know each of us and had complete trust in
his staff, allowing us the freedom to use our education and experience
to make decisions. Ken led by example. I learned more from him
about writing style, work, politics and budgets than from anyone
else. I will never forget Ken. He will always have a special
place in my life."
Ken Steen died of cancer on 27 July 1992. He is
survived by his wife, Peggy; three sons, Richard, David and Michael;
his parents; and three grandchildren.
Ken Steen is remembered in many ways by those who
knew and loved him. His roommate, Tom Huddleston, said: "When
I talked to Ken on the phone about two weeks before he died,
he didn't mention pain or problems, he only admitted to being
tired. I think we both knew we were saying goodbye but neither
said so. Ken was the same calm, well controlled individual. He
came to West Point a fine person, and there he refined his sense
of duty and committed himself to achieving only the best."
Ken's beloved Peggy said: "Ken achieved success
in everything he did because of his bright, alert mind and abilities
in dealing and interacting with people. The traits that made
Ken special were his love for family and others, integrity, kindness
and honesty. His sons called him their best friend. I have lost
the person who was the most important and loved one in my life.
He made a difference to all who knew him."
Ken's youngest son, David, spoke these words at
the memorial service: "I salute you Dad, there are few like
you left in this world." His son Michael paid tribute to
his father with these words: "Thanks, Dad, for being truly
human. You will be with us always."
His eldest son, Richard, recalled what his father
had taught him:
"Always keep your sense of humor because no matter how bad
things seem, they could be worse.
"No matter what the job or challenge, always do your best
and you will succeed.
"Judge others by what they accomplish and the effort they
put forth, not by race or religion.
"Above all else, put your family first."
Kenneth John Steen lived his life by the "Golden
Rule" and was true to the West Point motto: Duty, Honor,
Country. He loved his family and made sure they always played
a prominent part in his professional life. The Class of 1946
can't add much to the beautiful thoughts and remembrances of
Ken Steen expressed by his family and friends except to proclaim,
"Well Done Ken; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his family
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