Kenneth Rey Stahl Sr., 79, died on Aug. 2 in Portland after a long illness.
Ken was born on May 2, 1932, in Newark, N.J., to Francis and Violette Rey Stahl. He was raised in East Orange, N.J. and Lakewood, Ohio. In 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Horvath. They settled in Rochester (Brighton), N.Y., where they raised their three children, Kenneth Jr., Elizabeth and Suzanne.
Ken earned an MBA and undergraduate degrees in economics and finance at Lehigh University. He served in the U.S. Air Force until 1963, honorably discharged from the Reserve with the rank of Captain. Ken’s entire 30-year working career was spent in Rochester, N.Y., first at the Eastman Kodak Company, then Xerox Corporation, where he launched a 23-year career marked by innovation and entrepreneurship.
In 1974, Ken received Special Merit recognition for recovering Xerox’s Coin-op program contract with the US Postal Service, and was noted for his dedication, thoroughness and professionalism. In the late 70s, Ken transitioned into product development, joining the East Rochester Operations, where he helped form what became known as Xerox’s “Skunk Works.” He happily traded in his suit and tie for preferred jeans and Woolrich plaid shirts. It was here that Ken spearheaded an independent cross-functional team to develop a series of copiers that rapidly regained the market advantage over foreign competition.
In 1979, Ken was honored with Xerox Corporation’s President’s Achievement Award. Ken’s entrepreneurial approach captured the attention of business management guru and best-selling author, Tom Peters, who invited Ken to join other corporate luminaries in attending the first five-day Skunk Camp in Monterey, Cal. (1984). In his book, “A Passion for Excellence,” Peters cites Ken with other notable innovators, “fabled champions” and “real-life symbols” of how innovation can be achieved within a corporation.
In addition to the Brighton residence, Ken enjoyed the family retreat in Bristol, N.Y., overlooking Canandaigua Lake. The family established a summer home at Pemaquid Point in 1977. In retirement, Ken and Nancy spent winters at Fripp Island, S.C., and then relocated to Damariscotta. In 2002, they moved to OceanView Retirement Community in Falmouth.
Ken balanced his rigorous professional life with equal dedication to family and friends marked by enduring relationships. An Eagle Scout, Ken embraced the importance of character, loyalty and stewardship throughout his life. He enjoyed woodworking, reading and the outdoors. Ken possessed a subtle, deep spirituality. As his disease progressed, he put into practice a balanced mix of serenity, courage and wisdom.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Nancy of Falmouth, and their three children and six grandchildren, Kenneth R. Stahl Jr., of Rochester, N.Y. (sons, William and Eric Stahl and partner, Tracy Bell), Elizabeth Stahl of Belmont, Mass. (daughters, Erika and Elissa Zarowin and husband David Zarowin), and Suzanne Stahl Muir of Yarmouth (sons, Angus and Zane Muir and husband John Muir); cousins, Jeanne Stahl Ferraro of Shrewsbury, N.J. and husband Antonio Ferraro and Janet Morton Baird and husband Richard of Wilmington, Del.; sisters-in-law, Sandra Horvath Small of Covington, Ky. (deceased husband, J. William Small), and Joanne Horvath Staley of Montgomery, Ala. and husband Retired Lt. Col. Henry Staley; and dog, Abby, who follows in a long line of beloved Beagles.
A private burial will be held at a later date in New Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kenneth R. Stahl Sr. may be made to the Bristol Area Library, P.O. Box 173, New Harbor, ME 04554; or Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105.
Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth.
