Obituary: Kenneth R. Havens, Jr.

Kenneth R. Havens, Jr., age 96 of Mason, formerly of Oxford, passed away at UC West Chester Hospital on Friday, July 5, 2024. Known to most as Ken, he was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 28, 1928 to the late Kenneth R. Havens, Sr. and Josephine (Goetz) Havens. Ken graduated from the New York State Ranger School in 1950 and began working for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at Hueston Woods.

Shortly after arriving in Preble county, Ken was called to serve his country in the Korean War with the U.S. Army. After his two years in the service, he returned to Hueston Woods, going on to become the park manager. In 1963, Ken went to work at Miami University in the grounds department. He managed the grounds department until his retirement. In retirement, he returned part-time to manage the trail system at Miami University from 1993 until 2000.

Professionally, Ken had a profound love for forestry and horticulture, but in his free time he had a deep affection for the water. He enjoyed swimming, sailing, and SCUBA diving. Above all, Ken loved his family and nature.

Ken will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 58 years, Shirley; his children, Kim (Dan) Keith and Timothy (Michelle) Havens; his grandchildren, Alex and Emily Keith; his cousin, Martha Kennedy; as well as many extended family members and friends.

This obituary originally appeared on the website of Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home. To publish an obituary in the Oxford Free Press, please email obits@oxfreepress.com . For more information on obituaries, please visit our obituary page.