Northbrook Obituary: Kenneth Lee Mansfield, 86

Kenneth Lee Mansfield passed away with love, laughter, and optimism in his heart and with at least one more good story left to be told. Ken was surrounded by his loved ones who with both great sadness and hope let him go to join his heavenly beloveds.

Born on the Ides of March to Caroline Lockwood Mansfield and Jacob Warren Mansfield in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, Ken arrived during Pittsburgh’s 1936 Great St. Patrick’s Flood, which saw floodwaters peak at 46 feet, 21 feet above flood stage. Ken was the youngest of three boys and delighted in all activities – baseball (catcher), football (running back), basketball, riding bikes, boy scouts, church youth group and hanging with his friends Bob, Jack and Hank. The Mansfield boys’ upbringing coupled with their parent’s work ethic (Jacob was a master electrician/foreman at Allegheny Ludlum, Caroline walked four miles and bussed 10 miles each way to graduate from Margaret Morrison Carnegie College, Class of 1923) forged Ken’s drive to succeed and do it with persistence, creativity, positivity, camaraderie, listening, and a “no such word as no” attitude.

Ken graduated from Pennsylvania State University (BS Marketing) where he was an active Delta Upsilon member. He immensely enjoyed his Nittany Lion years that culminated in meeting the love of his life, Geraldine (Gerry) Hillmar at neighboring Grove City College (BA Psychology). Their close friends set them up on a blind date - love quickly blossomed and they remained devoted to each other through both joy and adversity for over 53 years. They delighted in traveling the world and counted trips to Venezuela, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco, Greece, Alaska, Hawaii and continental Europe among their favorite adventures. They loved playing bridge, tennis and golf both together and with friends and enjoyed these activities throughout their lives whether it was in Northbrook (50 years), Galena (40 years) or Clearwater (20 years).

Following graduation Ken and Gerry married and moved to Newport, RI where Ken completed the U.S. Navy OCS, Echo Company. Naval life was fascinating and took them to the Navy Supply Corps School (Athens, GA), Naval Base San Diego (CA); Naval Facility Antigua (Caribbean), McGuire Air Force Base (NJ), and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove (PA). Lieutenant Mansfield’s tour of duty included keeping the watch in WestPac (1960-61) aboard the USS Paul Revere APA-248 (attack transport). An enthralling storyteller, Ken regaled family and friends with captivating tales of the nations and cultures of the South China Sea and insights into life aboard a large transport vessel. Contributing to Ken’s passion for serving in the Navy and an interesting coincidence to serving on a transformative naval vessel named for a Revolutionary War Patriot is that both Ken’s maternal and paternal forefathers fought in the Continental Army against the British to secure our nation’s independence. Captain David Lockwood served on the USS Trumbull under Captain James Nicholson – he was later captured and imprisoned by the British on their warship off Charleston (SC) and fortunately lived to tell of it.

Upon the sudden tragic death of their young first-born son (Ken Lee) while stationed on Antigua, Ken and Gerry moved stateside where Ken began his sales and marketing career in Philadelphia with IBM and Gerry was a substitute high school math teacher while raising their daughter Tami and their newborn son Jonathan. After several years and many interesting account acquisitions Ken realized his entrepreneurial fascination and joined a close Navy friend and IBM co-worker to become a principal in emerging Shared Medical Systems (SMS). Ken led an expansion of SMS by opening and leading its first field office in Chicago. Continuing his interest in healthcare data systems, Ken worked for and retired from Baxter International in the late ‘80s following his Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.

Along with Gerry, Ken was an enthusiastic and much-loved parent and grandparent. He always believed in the best of his children, encouraging them to explore and learn for themselves while providing, along with Gerry, a bountiful and trusted safety net if things got rough. He was his children’s biggest cheerleader and instilled the magic of “anything is possible”; you just have to remain positive, open-minded and persistent. It’s little wonder his favorite childhood story was The Little Engine That Could – he lived by its message his entire life. Ken’s passion for marketing contributed to Tami’s advertising career and he and Gerry’s golf fascination led Jon to a career on the links. Ken was and continues to be a great inspiration to his children as well as his son-in-law, grandsons, their significant others and countless friends. Ken’s family was the core of his being and he loved nothing better than spending time with them whether it was discussing the current state of affairs and “solving the world’s problems”, playing golf, attending their youth sporting events or just celebrating life. Ken was a tremendously generous father, grandfather and friend with his heart, time, humor, storytelling and knowledge.

Against Ken’s positive backdrop loomed serious medical challenges. At age 48 Ken was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Instead of defining him the debilitating disease strengthened Ken’s resolve to squeeze the most out of life and push harder to maintain normalcy. His “I think I can, I think I can” attitude kept him walking and living positively and independently until the final year of his life. A particular moment of pride for Ken was having his driver’s license renewed at 83 years old despite laboring 40 minutes to walk (with a walker) the 50 feet to his car to demonstrate his driving ability with a state inspector. He never lost his sense of humor or perseverance in pursuit of a goal. At age 66 Ken was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. As before Ken dealt with this second devastating disease without complaint and for the final 20 years of his life he battled both illnesses with the determination to conquer them without self-pity. Ken’s secret to living a good life is encapsulated in Charles Swindoll’s poem “Attitude”. Unfortunately cancer had its own plans and ultimately took his life when treatment options became ineffective.

Ken was predeceased by his wife Gerry (2012) and his son Kenneth Lee Junior (1963). He was also predeceased by his brothers Warren and Robert (Betty) and his nephew Alan Mansfield (Becky) and his niece Karen Mansfield. He is survived by his daughter Tami (Olsen), his son Jonathan, his son-in-law Carl (Olsen), and his grandsons Conner Olsen (Hyunji Lim), Nick Olsen (Karen Silvasy) and Trey Olsen (Ami Wright). Ken is also survived by his sister-in-law Thelma Ayers (Bud) and his nephews Ed Ayers (Regina), Ron Ayers (Michele), Mark Mansfield (Lisa), and Bob Mansfield (Andrea). Ken’s deep friendships with Harvey W., Frank P., Austin C., Hank H., Jack G., and Bob G. saw him through life’s rollercoaster and for that we are extremely grateful. We’d like to thank Patricia, Felipe, Jen, Chris, Ron, Ed, Arnold and Mario for their tireless and expert caretaking the final year of Ken’s life and also Dr. Anthony T. Reder (Neurology, University of Chicago Medicine) and Dr. Julie Kish (Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center) for their compassionate, witty and thorough treatment of Ken’s co-morbidities.

To honor Kenneth Lee Mansfield’s life, a memorial fund has been created at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Please consider donating to aid research in finding a cure and providing assistance to victims of this debilitating disease. You can donate using this link: https://mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/Celebration-of-Ken-Mansfield

This obituary was provided by the Mansfield family, through N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home.