Kenneth Welch

Kenneth R. Welch, 68, of Littleton NH passed away Thursday afternoon April 3rd at Littleton Regional Hospital. He suffered from complications of cancer treatment.

Ken was born at Brightlook Hospital, St. Johnsbury, VT, on July 12, 1956, the oldest son of Reginald K. Welch and Kay (Parr) Welch. He was raised and educated in Lyndonville, graduating from LI with the class of 1976. He was a member of the LI Ski team during the “Dynasty” years (74-77) when the team was VT State Champions as well as New England Champions. Ken attended Norwich University where he joined the Army ROTC and excelled on the ski team earning varsity letters. He joined the Army in 1978 where he became a CW3 Army helicopter pilot. He was deployed to Grenada at the time of the 1983 invasion there.

After his discharge, he was employed by a private helicopter company. His first contract was flying to the U.S. Army Garrison, Kwajalein, and transporting Army personnel to the island. His favorite contract was Antarctica, flying National Geographic scientists to photograph and study the penguins. After many memorable months in Antarctica, he returned to the states to fly employees to the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. His last contract was flying Medevac in Arizona and New Mexico. Ken was a certified flight instructor and test pilot employed by Petroleum Helicopter, Inc., Dyncorp and Raytheon.

Ken enjoyed hunting camp with family and friends, maple sugaring with Gramp at the Welch sugar place, fishing (where he claimed he knew the best places), hiking, and watching the Red Sox. Most recently, he spent time researching family genealogy.

Ken was an avid skier, often spending time on the slopes with his friend, Bob Gilman. He loved spending time with family on and off the ski slopes. Ken was at every family gathering and made efforts whenever possible to ski with his niece, Makena and husband Tim. Over the last year, his great niece, Ingrid, (daughter to Makena and Tim) brought him an abundance of joy. The day she was born he stated that she would be skiing in no time. He was present for her first total eclipse and first Christmas but will sadly miss her first turns.

Ken often expressed his appreciation for the childhood he had in Lyndonville. The best place to be raised and the best place to learn to ski.

He is survived by his mother: Kay E. Welch of Lyndonville, Vt.; his siblings: Larry Welch of Windham, Maine, Susan Jennings of Florida, and Sonia Devereaux and husband Brian of Lyndonville; his nieces and nephews: Sonia, Brian, Isaiah and Elijah, Casey, Caroline and Catherine, Makena, Irene and Ethan; great-nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles: Ruth Welch, Lauren (Joe) and Anne Welch, Lyle (Jerry) and Lynn Welch, Laurelie Welch Chapman. Cousins and many friends.

Ken was predeceased by his father: Reginald in 2012, his uncles: Ken Parr and Richard ‘Dick’ Welch.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, June 6th at the Lyndon Center Cemetery with a reception to follow. There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Lyndon Outing Club, PO Box 112, Lyndonville, VT 05851.

Condolences may be shared with the family at GuibordFH.com