Condolence From: Jeanne Glowacki
Condolence: Ken was one of the best professors that I ever knew, as well as one of the best people. Though his loss will always be felt, so will the warmth and the compassion that he shared for others. He was a remarkable teacher and friend.
Sunday February 25, 2018
Condolence From: Morris E. Wickliffe
Condolence: I remember so well all those discussions we had about a large range of topics. As he was a philosopher and I physicist, we had a great selection of topics to delve into. We both expanded our knowledge about the world. I shall miss all those discussions and will certainly miss him. To his family I express my sincere sympathy for their loss.
Thursday February 22, 2018
Condolence From: Scott Silet
Condolence: My condolences to the Cooley family on your loss. Ken retired before I started at Waukesha 13 years ago, however, he was well-known to me and others through his tireless advocacy for students as a member of the Foundation Board. Among the programs he was a pioneering supporter of was the UW-Waukesha Undergraduate Research Fund which supports of Student Research Symposium. Ken understood first-hand how important faculty-student research partnerships were to the development of students and he generously supported that fund over several years. I'll miss many things about Ken formost among them his charm, rapier wit, willingness to speak his mind, and his sense of fairness. Ripose im pace.
Monday February 19, 2018
Condolence From: Greg A.
Condolence: It's really important to have those people in your life who push you to be better, different. Ken was one of the father figures in my own life that took my naivete and helped mold it into something substantial. He had unbridled intellectual prowess and knew the keys to unopened doors - and happiness. I felt close to this man on a multitude of levels and knowing him on that level - even for a few years - has gotten me to many achievements and - more importantly - gotten me through many more failures.
I am eternally grateful to Ken for guidance, wisdom, and philosophy. Books, education, goals - Ken was an insightful master at breaking through to people and getting to their heart. At least he felt like this to me. He personally fascinated me with his knowledge and ideas, I could sit their and just listen for hours on end. Cars, more books, more education, more ideas….the man was a gift that kept on giving. He was also funny.
I can certainly say I would not be who I am today or where I am at without Ken’s solace, warmth, and generosity. I consider myself blessed to have crossed paths with him and his entire family - who are some of the most amazing people I have ever had the honor of knowing. Truthfully.
Ken, thank you for the time, knowledge, wisdom, and the education. Some of which i accepted at the time, other pieces that took years to sink in. You made me think, you made me laugh, and now you made me cry.
I would like to express my sincerest and deepest condolences to the Cooley family and relatives of Ken.
Saturday February 17, 2018
Condolence From: Bob Mitchell
Condolence: Family and friends have lost a most principled, yet most congenial man. I joined UW-Waukesha at the same time as Ken, and found him to be a voice of reason during the turbulent times of the late '60s and early '70s. He was also a champion of faculty rights regarding shared governance of the college. His memory will live on.
Saturday February 17, 2018
Condolence From: Alan White
Condolence: Ken was my department colleague for over two decades. He was always diligent in his university duties and attended to them with great attention to detail, but always with an affable demeanor and a good sense of humor. I was just talking about him this past weekend to a colleague from Madison at a conference in Chicago--Ken bequeathed me a document about the history of Madison's department that will eventually be published in an important pedagogical journal. Ken's name will be prominently featured as a significant link in that chain of custody. We had just emailed last year about that--I hope he knew just what a significant contribution he made with that generous act.
Friday February 16, 2018
Condolence From: Mary Knudten
Condolence: Ken was always helping and leading his students and fellow faculty. From the start of my time at the University I felt his support (1981). I’m so sorry and extend my sympathy to Ken’s family. I’m sorry I can’t be there but I’m in Dallas, TX visiting my son.41
Friday February 16, 2018
Condolence From: Gene Braun
Condolence: Ken was born and died on a Tuesday. The rhyme says “Tuesday’s child is full of grace”. That sounds right because Ken was a minister at some time before he became a teacher. I don’t remember some of the many other things he was and did in his life but there were many. He’d dredge one of them up if the discussion gave him the opportunity. I still can’t quite see him as a short-order cook. He was a good guy and I’m grateful that I was allowed to join the gang of retirees (Old Crows) that he acted as organizer for. (A picture of the gang is somewhere else on this memorial page.)
Friday February 16, 2018
Condolence From: Mary Gist
Condolence: From Robert and I, we send our sincerest sympathies. Ken was so caring not only for his entire family, but to his students, colleagues, church, and his community. He will be missed. His sense of humor always gave a special approach to an event. Ken was so proud of all the children and loved ones. Wish many times we would have been closer to Wisconsin.
Friday February 16, 2018
Condolence From: Don Thompson
Condolence: Ken is my cousin. Although the closeness waned over the years, Facebook allowed us to reconnect a bit. I so enjoyed seeing the pictures of him and his family. The smiles in every photo showed so much love, and the love his family had for him. My heart goes out to Jill and all the family... I remember years ago at at our Grandmothers funeral , she was described as a "lighter of candles". I think Ken also lit many candles for family and friends. Rest in Peace, Job well done...
Friday February 16, 2018
