Kenneth Pickering

Kenneth A. (Ken) Pickering, a full time resident in the Traverse City, Michigan area since 1996, passed away on May 30, 2023 at the age of 97. He was most recently a resident of Cordia at Grand Traverse Commons and the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Ken was born in Western Pennsylvania. During his senior year of High School, he left in early 1944 as a volunteer for the US Army Air Corp for service in WW II as an Aviation Cadet pilot trainee. After discharge in late 1945, he took advantage of the GI Bill to secure a college education, which he often said, “Changed forever my life and those of my children and grandchildren”. Ken graduated from Penn State in 1949 with a BSME degree and was fortunate to find employment with General Motors in a position that utilized both his engineering and artistic skills. This was the beginning of a 40-year career with General Motors starting at Fisher Body, then GM Styling (later known as GM Design) with short assignments in the mid 1970’s at GM Corporate Staff and Pontiac Division. Ken retired in 1989 as Executive Director, GM Design Staff. Ken loved his work and his dear wife, Alice, his high school sweetheart whom he married in 1947 while at Penn State/ It was often said, “Ken would pay GM to go to work if they did not pay him.” Ken was formerly a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) and a National Director for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Ken returned to Michigan State evening classes in 1964 and graduated MBA with Distinction in 1966. Ken’s interest in education continued throughout his career and beyond. During the 1960’s. He chaired the Advisory Committee to the Dean of Engineering at Penn State and later served on the Advisory Committee to the Dean of the Graduate School of Business at Michigan State. He was a member of the President’s Club at MSU. His work with education continued in Traverse City at Northwestern Michigan College which he often called “The Jewel of Traverse City”. Ken also recently retired after 11 years from the NMC Advisory Committee for Extended Education He also served as a teacher for several courses and frequently gave presentations at the biannual NMC Extended Education Campus Days. Ken established the continuing “Ken and Alice Pickering Scholarships” at NMC so other deserving young people could have the educational opportunity that the GI Bill gave him. As a result, he was invited to be a member of the Biederman Society of NMC. Ken also supported Munson Hospital and was a member of the Munson Healthcare Legacy Group and the Father Fred Foundation. In retirement, Ken continued his love for painting and was able to merge that art with new graphic computer technologies. He was an active member of the Art Center of Traverse City, Traverse Area Camera Club, the Economic Club of Traverse City and a former member of the Golf and Country Club of Traverse City. In 2012 at the age of 86, Ken, who had never before actually piloted an aircraft, flew in a dual control P-51 Mustang and with expert instruction, performed a number of difficult aeronautical maneuvers and fulfilled a life time dream. On October 13, 2016, Ken, as a WW II veteran and accompanied by his son, Mark, as his Guardian, participated in the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight to Washington DC. As Ken later remarked, “For me, the most emotional moment was our return to the Traverse City airport. We were greeted by well over 300 people of all ages bearing 100 large and many small US flags.” Ken was preceded in death by his dear wife Alice in 2004. Since 2006, Ken shared his life with Jeane Poos, formerly of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is survived by a daughter Linda, (Joseph) Lupi, a son Mark (Pamala) Pickering, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A memorial service will take place Thursday, June 22, 11 am, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Visitation one hour prior to the service. In accordance with his wishes, Ken will be laid to rest at The Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI at a later date. In keeping with Ken’s wishes, it is requested that Memorial donations be made to Munson Healthcare Foundation in Traverse City, Michigan or the Freeman Wilner Foundation in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Kenneth Pickering

October 16, 1925 - May 30, 2023