Kenneth M. Rendall Jr., of Wiscasset, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 18. Ken was born in New Brunswick, N.J. July 7, 1925 to Kenneth and Ruth Rendall. He was predeceased by his wife Lois in 2011.
Ken graduated from Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J., a member of the Class of 1944. He lettered in football, wrestling and track. His senior year football team went undefeated and was inducted into the Peddie Athletic Hall of Fame.
Days after his graduation he joined the Navy and proudly served aboard LCS(L)(3)-42 as a 17-year-old signalman. His ship led amphibious landings at Brunei Bay in Borneo, as well as at Zamboanga, Basilan, Jolo and Tawi Tawi in the Philippines earning two battle stars. Ken further served in the Naval Reserves until 1954. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1950.
He married Lois Welchman on May 1, 1954 and spent their honeymoon in South Harpswell. This began their lifelong visits to Maine. They spent summers at their family camp on Mooselookmeguntic Lake for over 30 years. While there he enjoyed fishing, hiking, taking his sons water-skiing and perhaps most of all, peace and tranquility from the front porch.
Ken worked for Princeton University for nearly 20 years as their faculty housing director. Lois and Ken opened their home and hearts to many undergraduate students. After leaving the university he joined Edmond Cook & Co., it later became Rendall-Cook & Co., until his retirement in 1990.
He was active in the Princeton community. He served for 27 years Princeton Housing Authority, including an extended stint as Chairman. In addition, he was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church serving on their Building and Grounds Committee as well as an usher. He and Lois retired to Wiscasset in 1994 and joined St. Andrews Church in Newcastle. He also served for several years on the board of the Genesis Fund located in Damariscotta.
His enjoyment of sports was contagious. He would often spontaneously rally his sons’ friends for a pick-up game of football, basketball or baseball. He was devoted to watching his three sons play sports and rarely missed a game. In retirement, Ken always looked forward to his Wednesday golf outings with friends.
Ken was proud of his Scottish heritage and spoke at length to anyone who would listen of his connections to Scotland and the Orkney Islands.
He is survived by three sons and their partners, Kenneth M. Rendall III and Deborah of Peapack, N.J., R. Keith Rendall and Julie of Wiscasset, and Craig H. Rendall and Lisa of Brunswick; sister, Virginia Reynolds of Montgomery, N.J.; and grandchildren, Kyle, Sean, Talia, Stephanie and Nicholas.
A memorial service will be held in April at St. Andrews Church, Newcastle.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s honor may be made to Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High St., Bath.
