Kenneth L. Rouch, age 88, passed peacefully into glory on Friday, December 1, 2017, in Safety Harbor, FL.

Ken married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Phyllis Hardy, 68 years ago and together they had two perfect children, Kathy and Tom. He taught them how to play ball, mow the lawn, remodel the basement, and work on cars (“if you can’t fix it, you can’t drive it”). More importantly he taught them to love the Lord, honor their Mother, and work hard. He taught that by example.

Ken worked 30 years at Anderson Pattern in Muskegon, MI, where he designed and fabricated custom-made tools for the pattern makers. He worked overtime any chance he got to earn extra money to provide a good life for his family and plan for retirement. For several years he also went to night school to finish his Bachelor’s Degree. It wasn’t related to his job, but he valued education.

He then spent two years taking care of the young kids and cleaning the house on Saturdays so Phyllis could attend Western Michigan University and finish her degree. He was the proudest man in the auditorium at her graduation and surprised her with a piano for all her hard work.

In 1985 Ken retired early so he and his beloved wife could spend all their time together. They sold their home in Michigan and moved to Clearwater, FL. There they enjoyed many new friends, attending and serving at Calvary Baptist Church, golfing, bowling, travelling, and of course the warm weather! Ken could often be seen riding his bike or sitting in the sun.

Ken adored his grandchildren and later his great-grandchildren, teaching them to fish and ride bikes.

He was a man of honor and integrity, loyal, honest, faithful, dependable, highly intelligent, humble, and very funny. Maybe not perfect, but the best man we’ve ever known.

Throughout his two-year battle with various debilitating illnesses, Ken demonstrated exceptional courage, perseverance and grace, and was unwavering in his enthusiasm and commitment to his Lord and his family. He lived every moment of his life, until his very last, with hope, optimism, and a positive attitude. Our deep sense of loss is mitigated only by knowing that he is safely in the arms of Jesus and we will be reunited once again when the roll is called up yonder.

Services will be held at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, 1750 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34686, on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Visitation will be 10:00am – 11:00am, followed by the service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Ken, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to: Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online/