Kenneth Dean Hendrix

Kenneth Dean “Ken” Hendrix, 89, a Jeopardy fan and resident of Bethlehem, PA, died at St. Lukes University Hospital - Bethlehem on October 5th, 2022, after a short hospital stay.

Ken was predeceased by an infant daughter, Gayle Robin; and by his wife of 37 years, Dorothy “Dot” Hendrix (nee Lapham) who left him a widower in 1992. He is survived by his daughter Valerie Yacik and her husband, Steve; and his son Brian Hendrix and his wife, Jacqueline; his grandchildren, Alina Perone and her husband, Vincent; Danika Yacik, and her fianc, Andrew Palmer; and Christopher, Creighton, and Caroline Hendrix; and his partner of 24 years, Patricia Girke.

Kenneth was born in Harrisburg, PA on March 1, 1933 to Donald and Estella (Sultzbaugh) Hendrix. He graduated with the Class of 1951 from Union High School, Union, NJ. He then attended Lehigh University (LU) where he earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, graduating with the Class of 1955. At Lehigh, Ken was a member of the Theta Xi fraternity.

After college Ken married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Lapham, on August 27th, 1955. Following a brief honeymoon, they moved onto the Seneca Ordnance Depot in Romulus, NY.

Having completed the Army ROTC program at Lehigh, Ken was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and completed 2 years of active duty including 6 weeks in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. After an honorable discharge as a 1st Lieutenant, he and Dot moved to Springfield, NJ in 1957, setting up house and starting a family. While there, they joined the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield in 1969 where Ken served as a Deacon, an Elder, and several terms as Trustee. Having an interest in history, he was also a member of the Springfield Historical Society at the Historic Cannon Ball House on Morris Avenue.

Additionally, in July of 1975, he proudly joined the Sons of the American Revolution, Elizabethtown Chapter, embracing the role of Chapter President from 1979-1983.

Ken spent 40 years as a Principal Engineer with the Public Service Electric and Gas Company in Newark, NJ having worked in both the Engineering and Construction Department and the Distribution Systems Department. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and served on their Switchgear Committee. Although he retired in 1993, he stayed connected with his peers in the PSE&G Retired Employees Club and attended their dinners for many years.

Ken happily supported many of his childrens extracurricular activities often taking on leadership roles. He was the Scoutmaster for Brians Boy Scout Troop, Troop #70/Pack #70, in the Watchung Area BS Council (formerly Union Council). He was active in the Jonathan Dayton Regional High School Band Parents Organization in Springfield, NJ from 1976 to 1982 during which time he acted as Band Parent President for several years. Ken, along with Dot, chaperoned on the marching band bus when needed and was always present at both marching band and indoor guard competitions.

In later years, Ken moved to Bethlehem, PA to share life with his partner Patricia “Pat” Girke. Together they loved to travel internationally, visiting Russia, China, Japan, Egypt, and Paris. Stateside, they followed the Lehigh University wrestling team to NCAA tournaments in Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, and Iowa. Ken also enjoyed supporting his alma mater by attending LU football games (he was a proud member of the 50 Year Club), being a part of the LU Senior Alumni Council, being a member of the Lehigh Tower Society, and volunteering at the information desk in the Alumni Memorial Building for 15 years.

Ken will also be missed by Pats family members; son Roger Girke and wife, Naomi; grandchildren Alexa and Sophia Girke, Amber Davis and husband, Pete, and Hunter Stewart; and great-granddaughter, Nova Lasso. Pats daughter, Kelly Medina (deceased) and wife, Michelle Medina were also a part of Kens life in Bethlehem.

Up until his passing, Ken enjoyed reminiscing about the summers he spent on the family farm in Cumberland County, PA. He cherished his memories in Camp Hill making hay and driving tractors with his uncle, Lloyd Sultzbaugh, and cousins, Carl and Keith Sultzbaugh along with many other family members and friends.

Please remember Ken the next time you drink a Manhattan, sit down to watch Jeopardy, or complete a crossword puzzle. He would love to know you were thinking of him.

A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, October 20th from 2:00 - 5:00 pm at Connell Funeral Home, 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at 9:30 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, 37 Church Mall, Springfield, NJ. Interment will follow at the Mausoleum of the Good Shepherd in Hollywood Memorial Park, 1500 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to one of the following: The American Heart Association, The Lehigh University Alumni Association, or the Hanover (PA) Township Rescue Squad.

Viewing
Thursday, October 20, 2022
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Service
Saturday, October 22, 2022
9:30 AM
First Presbyterian Church of Springfield
37 Church Mall
Springfield NJ 07081
US

Graveside Service
Saturday, October 22, 2022
11:00 AM
Hollywood Memorial Park and Cemetery
1500 Stuyvesant Avenue
Union PA 07083
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531