Obit: Bachman, Kenneth Joseph (1933 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bachman, Zamrzla, Higgins, Bischoff, Dobson, Forret

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 11/23/2016

Bachman, Kenneth Joseph (20 September 1933 – 15 November 2016) With Flag

Kenneth Joseph Bachman, 83, of Black River Falls, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in the Pine View Care Center in Black River Falls.

Ken was born Sept. 20, 1933, in Neillsville to Joseph and Emily (Zamrzla) Bachman. When Ken was 10 years old, the family moved to a farm near Black River Falls where he attended Town Creek Elementary School and graduated from the Black River Falls High School in 1951.

He married Donna Higgins June 19, 1954, in Black River Falls.

Ken graduated as a member of the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity from the university of Wisconsin-Madison in 1956 with a degree in agricultural engineering. He then was employed by International Harvester in Chicago, until he was called into military service.

Ken spent the next 26 years in the Air Force and was proud of his many assignments, including his 3,300 hours of fly time while in service. Of the 3,300 hours, 1,700 hours of that time was spent in B-52s, 104 combat missions over Vietnam and escorting the first Vietnam POW home to America. Ken rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was presented with numerous awards, medals, and honors throughout his years of service. Ken and his family lived in many beautiful areas of the world while serving his country. In 1967, while in the Air Force, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Ohio State University. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he earned a third degree in computer science from Weber College. Ken was employed by South Florida Community College in Avon Park, FL, to develop and head the Computer Science Department where he remained until retirement, when they moved to Eau Claire.

Ken love life, his family, friends, and pets. He spent his spare time flying his personal plane, a Piper Arrow, hunting, fishing, boating, sailing, bowling, and helping others. Ken and his family were worldwide travelers and visited all 50 states along with Japan, Germany, France, Switzerland, Korea, and Philippines, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Belgium, and Liechtenstein. Ken was a member of the Lake Street Methodist Church in Eau Claire.

Ken is survived by his wife, Donna, of Black River Falls; one brother, Ronald (Mary) Bachman of Providence, UT; sister-in-law, Blanch (Roger) Bischoff of Eau Claire; brother-in-law, John (Jill) Higgins of Black River Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph, and Emily Bachman; in-laws, Hugh, and Marcella Higgins; brother-in-law, Steven Dobson; and a daughter, Nancy, in 2008.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at Lake Street United Methodist Church (337 Lake St. Eau Claire, WI 54703) with Pastor Cherie Forret officiating. Burial with military honors followed at Rest Haven Gardens Cemetery in Eau Claire. Friends called from 10 a.m. Tuesday until time of services at the church.

Torgerson’s Funeral Home (715-284-4321) of Black River Falls assisted the family with arrangements.