Kenneth Lewis Kjeldsen

Kenneth Lewis Kjeldsen April 22, 1941-January 25, 2025 Ken Kjeldsen passed away at home at age 83. With great faith, courage and grace and surrounded by his family, Ken passed into God’s eternal care.

Born in Stockton to Chris Lester Kjeldsen and Mabel Viola Saari Kjeldsen, Ken attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Stockton Junior High and graduated from Stagg High School in 1958. He attended the College of the Pacific and graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1963 with a degree in Civil Engineering. While at UOP he played freshman football, rugby and was on the men’s water polo team. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. During this time, he joined the National Guard and was deployed to the Watts Riots. Throughout his life, Ken had a special place in his heart for people who served in the military. He was deeply moved by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the sacrifices they made, especially those involved in the Wounded Warriors Project.

Ken and his family have had a long association with the University. Both his great uncle and his great aunt are alumni. His father, Chris, attended COP and played football under coach Amos Alonzo Stagg. Chris was active in the PE Department as an assistant and later coached basketball, tennis and swimming. The Chris Kjeldsen pool has since been named after him in honor of his years of dedicated service. Ken’s brother and two sisters-in-law are also alumni. Family members include engineering, science, dental and education graduates and MS and MA degree recipients.

After graduation, Ken was employed as an engineer working for Glover and Dodge in Fort Bragg California. Later, he moved back to Stockton and worked for Cal Trans before joining the engineering firm of Dentoni and Associates in 1965. In 1972 he was elevated to partner. After Darrell Dentoni’s death, Kjeldsen and Associates was established. Over the years, the company grew and partners joined the firm. Currently it is known as Kjeldsen, Sinnock and Neudeck, Inc. and Ken was president until his retirement in 2004. KSN projects throughout the Central Valley and Delta remain a testimony to his legacy. Ken’s successful career was due to his sense of humor, charisma, intellect, integrity and love for his many colleagues.

In 2000, Ken was recognized with the Engineer of the Year Award by the San Joaquin Engineers Council. He was one of the original members of the Dean’s Advisory Council at UOP’s School of Engineering and Computer Science and served from 2002 to 2018. He served as chair of the Industrial Advisory Council and was involved with the University’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineering and the MESA program. In 2003 he received the Service to the University award from the Pacific Alumni Association. He was very generous with his time spent on behalf of the University. He was a long-time supporter of the Department of Athletics and enjoyed many years as a member of the Pacific Athletic Foundation.

Ken met his future wife and lifelong partner, Carol Dyer, at Title Insurance and Trust Company in the late 1960’s. As he passed Carol drinking at the water fountain, he tugged at her ponytail, a gesture Carol says captured her heart. They married in May 1968. During their 56 wonderful years together, he dedicated himself to his wife and sons, whom he loved fiercely. He is survived by his wife Carol Dyer Kjeldsen, his sons Jeffrey Dane Kjeldsen (Stockton) and Skipp Allen Kjeldsen (Fort Bragg) and his three brothers Kelly (Bev) of Santa Rosa, Don (Nancy) of Stockton and Dana of Fort Bragg.

Ken loved tennis and played in many tournaments at the Stockton Tennis Club. There he also served on the Board and donated his engineering skills to build the fence that encloses the clubhouse. He loved antiques, especially his 1928 Model A Ford, which led to his membership in the Model A Ford Car Association. He loved gathering all kinds of “treasures” which fill his infamously overfilled garage! He loved Fort Bragg, with its beautiful ocean and redwoods and eventually build a second home there, on a portion of the property purchased by his parents in the 1950s. He had many fond memories of family and friends’ gatherings, fishing trips, making jam from his blackberry patch, splitting wood, relaxing on his porch with a beer, his family and friends and a cigar. He loved playing with his brothers in the woods, both in the summers as a child and all year round as a grownup! His life was filled with laughter and fun. Always the entertainer with a sharp wit, he produced many crazy jokes and stories to the amusement and endearment of those around him.

We will remember him as a man of faith and humility. He supported his church in various capacities – Bible studies, mission trips and serving on church boards. Faith, family and hard work were his three pillars. His three brothers and their families loved him very much and will miss him terribly. Mina Rakastan sinua (We love you), dear Kenny.

In Lieu of flowers, please send your tributes to Hospice of San Joaquin. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vereschagin Alumni House at the University of the Pacific on Saturday May 17th at 1pm.

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