Ken had a strong sense of responsibility to the organizations that shaped his life and to his family. His notable contributions included the restoration of Viking Hall at North Park University, which renamed the building Hamming Hall in honor of Ken and his wife, Joyce. He also made substantial contributions to the University of Illinois College of Engineering at Champaign-Urbana; the Peninsula Art School in Door County, Wisconsin; the Wisconsin Land Trust in Door County; and other deserving groups.

Last, but surely not least, Ken was a devoted husband of nearly 54 years to his wife, Joyce, a devoted father to their three children, and a devoted grandfather to their eight grandchildren. To his many friends, associates, and family, Ken was truly a Renaissance man.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his daughter, Nancy; son, Stephen; and eight grandchildren, Melissa, Onalee, Christopher, Jenny, Julie, Annie, Nicole, and James Kenneth. A son, Greg, predeceased him.