Kenneth Joseph Aken, born June 13, 1938, died peacefully at home in Knoxville on Sept. 24 surrounded by family.
Mr. Aken is preceded in death by his mother, Anastasia; father, Kenneth Frederick; sister, Debbie Eggleston; brother-in-law, Daniel Eggleston; sister, Mary Leatha Aken; brother-in-law, Stien Ohrtrom; and daughter, Ellen Marie Aken.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Aken; daughter, Mary Emily Bidwell; son, Kenneth Cox Aken; sister, Jane Merdes; brother-in-law, Bob Merdes; brother, John Aken; sister, Ellen Ohrstrom; grandchildren, Mary Alexandria Bidwell and Caitlin Elise Knight, grandson-in-law, Lee Knight, Matthew Elliot Bidwell, and Jack Anthony Bidwell; and great-grandchildren, James Walker Knight and Laney Jo Knight.
Mr. Aken has a large extended family and will be missed by all. He was a devoted son, brother, father, and husband and a hero in some way to everyone that knew him.
He dedicated his life to faith, service, and making the world a safer place with his environmental engineering contributions to worldwide pollution control. Also, his leadership and senior committee roles in various Catholic-related fundraising activities, charities, and organizations were many.
Mr. Aken was active as a Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, and he was especially recognized for his efforts in fundraising for mental illness programs.
Most recently, he was nominated to be a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jersusalem, one of the highest lay honors bestowed by the Vatican.
Mr. Aken, who served as a 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton and an MBA from California Western University. His professional career was dedicated to pollution control of power plants, serving in senior leadership roles for domestic and international projects and operations.
A funeral Mass for Mr. Aken was celebrated on Oct. 2 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut.
