Kenneth H. Smith,
Lt. Col. USAF, 88
DOVER, DE - Kenneth H. Smith, Lt. Col. USAF, joined the Lord on July 25th, 2023. He was born in 1934 in Queens, NY; the fifth of six children of Leonard & Mary Smith.
Ken was passionate about family, faith, country, and charity.
Ken was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lida; and daughter, Kathleen.
He is survived by his sister, Lorraine Strong; daughter, Beth Ann Knight (Patrick & son Matthew); sons, Kenneth (Pei & son Vincent), Michael, Andrew (Denise), and Mark.
Passion for aviation led Ken to one of the country's premiere high schools, Brooklyn Tech, and then to flying for the U.S. Air Force as a Navigator. Through a fellow aviator, Ken met and married Lida Mikos; the love his life for 63 years. During a 20-yr career, Ken logged over 13,000 flight hours conducting early warning, photo mapping, and transport missions (EC-121, RB-50, C-141, C-5A, etc), visiting 51 countries. Ken was in the initial cadre of C-5A aircrew. Career highlights included Operation Dominic, Operation Nickel Grass, and locating the 15-man crew of a sunken naval vessel 100 miles from British Guiana. Ken's second career, as a rural postal carrier, kept him close to home, his wife & their five kids. During this time, Ken launched into many volunteer activities. He did so much and impacted so many, and most of what he did, he did for decades…donating about 40,000 hours…primarily at Holy Cross Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and Dover AFB. Always at his side, or supporting from the shadows, was his loving wife Lida. They were a dynamic duo. Ken held dozens of positions in the Knights of Columbus; including the #1 position in the State. He was passionately involved in the Religious Vocational program and in many Pro Life activities; notably organizing buses to the March for Life, for over 40 years.
Ken led the Dover AFB Retiree Activities Office for 11 years; the office consistently ranked one of the Air Force's best. He logged 12 years as docent at the AMC Air Museum. He raised over $20,000 in a dozen Polar Bear Plunges for the Special Olympics. Other activities included the Military Officers Association of America, the Kent County Amateur Radio Club, Malvern Catholic Retreats, the Air Force Navigator Observer Association, and the Modern Maturity Center.
Visitation is July 30, 5pm to 8pm, at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 S. State St., Dover, DE. Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, July 31st, 10am, at Holy Cross Church in Dover.
Memorial donations may be made to the Delaware Special Olympics at 619 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19716.
To share a fond memory of Ken or to offer a condolence to his family, please visit ambruso.com.