Kenneth Emerson Coombs, 90, of Bristol, passed away suddenly in the home he loved on Feb. 10. Ken was robust and independent to the end, enjoying visitors and outings regularly. Ken was born July 11, 1924 in Waterville to the late Kenneth B. Coombs and Irma H. Coombs (nee Emerson). He was brother to the late Ernest A. Coombs of Toronto, Canada.
Ken attended school at Waterville High School, where his father Kenneth B. Coombs taught chemistry. He went on to study architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. Ken also served with the U.S. military during WWII, being stationed in Panama, and was honorably discharged in 1943 with the rank of staff sergeant.
After returning to work in Maine for a spell, Ken took a job at The University of Kansas as a professor of architecture. Here, in 1948, Ken met his late beloved Geraldine who was studying for her masters degree in mathematics, and they were married Oct. 13, 1951.
Ken then started his own practice, and eventually became chief architect for the City of Kansas, Mo., while Gerry provided mathematical algorithms to Midwest Research Institute during the early space program.
Ken and Gerry lived life to the fullest out west, where Ken sped about in his Aston Martin, when he wasn’t buzzing the fields as a pilot in his fabulous Stearman Biplane. Ken was also an avid and skilled golfer, being the only member of the Coombs family to ever score a hole in one.
After retiring in 1982, Ken and Gerry settled in his home state of Maine, in a wonderful period home in Bristol. Ken, however, remained very active, acting as architect for local building company, Poole Brothers, and chairing the Bristol Town Planning Board for many years.
Ken joined the newly formed Old Bristol Historical Society in 2005, where he used his expertise in helping survey and map historical sites in Bristol. Ken remained a director until 2013, and was recently given honorary membership of the board of directors. Ken was a well-respected, vibrant member on the community, and his passing will touch all who met him.
He is survived, and terribly missed by, his niece, Catherin LaFort of Canada; and nephew, Christopher Coombs and wife Natalie of Bournemouth, England. Ken will also be sadly missed by his “grandchildren,” Laura and Mia of Bournemouth, England, and Caitlin, Liam, Lucas, Carter, and Amy of Toronto, Canada.
A graveside service will be held for Ken in early August at the Chamberlain Cemetery in Round Pond. Service arrangements will be published when they are available.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
