Kenneth J. Mumford

We celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Kenneth James Mumford who passed away at his home on April 8, 2021. A brilliant, kind, and principled educator, Ken was born August 30, 1938 in Chariton, IA. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and was among the earliest American military personnel to serve in the Vietnam War; wounded multiple times during two tours of duty (paradoxically serving as both Corpsman and Sniper) he was also among the conflict’s earliest casualties. Semper Fidelis, he loved the Marine Corps and his brothers-in-arms. Following his military service, Ken earned a teaching degree with distinction from the Univ. of Minnesota and from there embarked on a 50-year career as an elementary school teacher. Ken loved teaching and was a master of the classroom. Students who came to his class found a wryly humorous teacher who was organized, patient, and dedicated to their learning. Among his career highlights was his successful adaptation of the Pirates of Penzance for elementary school performers. Mr. Mumford retired as a sought-after substitute teacher in 2019. Outside the classroom Ken had an intrepid character that propelled him to take a solo bicycle trip across the Western United States and Canada, and to complete the inaugural Twin Cities Marathon. A lifelong motorsport and Porsche enthusiast, Ken was a skilled and experienced racecar driver who competed in SCCA events across the U.S. He was fiercely proud of his Irish heritage and its rich musical and literary tradition. Never without a book, Ken loved literature of all kinds and was a gifted writer of poetry, prose, and post-it notes in his perfect penmanship. Grandpa Ken will be missed by his 5 grandchildren: Lillian Wolf, Johan Ellef, Magnolia Rose, Sloane, and Graham. He is preceded in death by his mother Mary Louise Oden Mumford, and his brother Michael Mumford. He is survived by his son Declan Mumford and his wife Patricia, his daughter Kathleen Mumford, and by his former spouse Kathleen Quinlan. He also leaves behind his extended family: Caroline and Brett Thompson, and Katie and Adam Meltzer. His partner of 35 years, best friend, and soul-mate Mary Lysne Roszak is bereft at his loss but rejoices in their life together. Further details regarding his memorial service will be posted. “God from afar looks graciously upon a gentle teacher” - adapted from Terence Rattigan, The Browning Version. 

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