Kenneth R. Dudzik
Kenneth R. Dudzik (1959 – 2023) was born in Rhode Island. He graduated from St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket and cum laude from the University of New Hampshire. He worked for the US Forest Service in Durham NH as a Forester until his retirement. He authored or co-authored nine publications and was the lab computer system operator for many years. He was the third child of the late Francis and Kathleen Dudzik.
Ken was known for his generous heart, kind nature, eye-rolling and groan-inducing puns, love of veal loaf, his yard sale and fishing expertise, and extraordinary bad luck. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was part of that bad luck. He weathered the disease progression with strength, grace and dignity. Ken had a knack for connecting with anyone who came in contact with him; he truly cared about their lives, supported them when possible, and made them laugh. He worked with Mrs. Nobel K. Peterson to continue Durham’s Leif Ericson Parade and helped care for her during her later years. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, co-workers and all those he helped.
Ken received much support from Team Gleason, and had expressed his desire to donate to them in his name. https://teamgleason.org/donate/
Ken is survived by siblings Stephen and his wife Lequan, Robert and his wife Christi and their son Robert, Michael, Karla and her daughters Emma and Audrey, and Pamela, as well as numerous cousins. He is also survived by extended family Bruce and Heidi and their children Meagan and Chelsea as well as Dennis and Jackie and their children Ali and Sammi.
A memorial celebration is planned in April in NH. Private family events will scatter his ashes.
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
Mike,
I’m so sorry to hear about your brother Ken passing. He will be greatly missed for sure.
Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincere condolences, Mike. I hope all the good memories will fill the void in time,
Jim.
Though I never met him, I feel like i connected more with Ken and your extended family through his extended illness. I was always impressed with how he lived with the disease, and how his family rallied round him. Unlucky? I think he was very lucky to surrounded by such a loving group of siblings.
Karla:
I was so saddened to learn of the passing of your brother, Ken. I have fond memories of both you and your brother as you excelled quietly in my classes at Saints. Ken will be remembered always.
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. My father worked for the Forest Service and thought very highly of Ken. I was fortunate enough one year to work with Ken and learned firsthand why my Dad held that opinion. Ken was a wonderful person. My family’s condolences.
Ken was absolutely one of a kind guy with an absolutely KIND heart, helped everyone he could, always joyful and considerate. Spent many years working with him in Durham and you could always count on Ken. He was always in my thoughts and prayers thru his terrible ordeal with ALS. Send my condolences to his entire family.