Wilfrid Kenneth Sherk

Ken grew up hunting and fishing on the Niagara River, 5 miles above the Niagara Falls. As a 12 year old, he would leave the house early to avoid Sunday school. At 17 years old, he enlisted in the Navy during WW2. The war on both fronts ended shortly thereafter, and he was discharged after exactly one year of service. He graduated from the University of Buffalo with a mechanical engineering degree courtesy of the GI Bill. He worked at Niagara Mohawk Power Company for 10 years. In 1960, he married Patricia A. Longwell, and they honeymooned across the country, travel trailer in tow, to a steam power plant design engineer job in Rising City, NB. After a year, he accepted a facility engineer position with Hercules Aero Space in SLC. He enjoyed his job analyzing and fixing everything from designing a ventilation hood for a stinky glue pot (received kudos from all building workers) to purchasing and fine tuning graphite fiber and adhesive winding machines that manufactured rocket motor chambers. He retired after 24 rewarding years working with some great folks. Then he and Pat caravanned the US and Mexico in their Airstream trailer. Ken and Pat raised 4 successful daughters, all with college degrees including 3 MBAs, 2 engineering degrees, and one retired Sergeant Major. He was so proud of us. After watching Sarah (16 yrs) and Ken repair the old car she wrecked, a neighbor declared “those Sherk girls can do anything.” Dad didn’t play sports with us, he taught us how to think logically and how the world worked (algebra, physics, fishing, hunting, map reading, survival skills, bike, mower, and car repair). If we broke it, we had to fix it with him. He was nicknamed Mr. Knowledge by ex-son-in-law and dear friend Scot Gisseman, who said “before there was Google - we had Ken Sherk.” Ken was always ready for a challenging fix-it or build-it project and to help friends and family. However, you’d better not expect a quick fix as he was a stickler for conducting a thorough analysis to get the job done right the first time. If one got impatient or failed to perform an analysis of ALL the facts, you’d hear, “Prior planning prevents piss poor performance.” His garage and basement are affectionately called Ken’s True Value Hardware – if he doesn’t have it, he can manufacture it. He did not sugar coat life and would provide (and accept) constructive criticism. If one of us was going through a tuff time, he’d encourage us with “illegitimis non carborundum”, which translates to don’t let the bastards grind you down. Grumpa – thanks for the great foundation for life. You will be missed. 

He was preceded in death by Pat (amicably divorced in 2003). 

Survived by daughters Sarah Sherk (Dan Busey), Amy Jerabek, Jody Garner (Claude), Nancy Goerke (Ray), and grandkids Benjamin & Patrick Busey, Michael & Madison Goerke. 

To Celebrate Ken’s Life an open house will be held at his residence June 14th from 3 to 5 PM with a salute to Ken at 4 PM. Drinks and dinner will be served. In lieu of flowers – give a gift of learning by teaching someone a useful skill.