Kenneth’s Obituary Kenneth E. Wood, 81 of Mechanicsburg, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg. Born January 17, 1938 in Mechanicsburg, he was a son of the late C. Boyd and Mary (Keeney) Wood. Ken graduated from Mechanicsburg High School in 1955.
While in school he played right tackle on the football team, and in 1954 the football team had an undefeated season. He also threw the shot-put, discus and javelin on the track team. Upon graduation Ken attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College, now Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
While at “Bloom” he lettered all four years in football. During his freshman year, the team won the conference football championship. Ken was also on the track team and threw the shot-put, discus and javelin; because of lettering all four years in football in college, Ken was awarded a lifetime pass to all Bloomsburg University sporting events.
He earned and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education majoring in Science with a Math minor. From 1959 to 1962 Ken taught Algebra at Northwest High School in Shickshiny, PA; while at Northwest he was head coach for both the football team and the track team. During his time in Shickshiny he earned a Master’s Degree in Chemistry from Syracuse University.
In the fall of 1962 Ken accepted a teaching and coaching position at Cumberland Valley High School where he taught Chemistry and Math. While at Cumberland Valley he also served as the chairman for the Science Department. For three years while teaching at Cumberland Valley, he was involved with the high school track program serving as co-head coach for the track team, during his tenure the track team lost only one conference meet.
Ken was also involved with the football program at Cumberland Valley serving as an assistant coach for two years and then as head coach for one year. In 1968, Ken became Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Harrisburg Area Community College; he was promoted Associate Professor, Professor and eventually became Senior Professor. In 1999 Ken retired from teaching and was awarded emeritus status.
Throughout Ken’s teaching and coaching career he has constantly battled an eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa. This disease eventually robs a person of their eyesight. In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his sisters Joyce Wood and Claribel Rosenberger as well as a brother in law Baxter Wright.
Ken is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Patsy (Steele) Wood; two daughters Jeanine Potts and husband Christopher and Tammy Horstick and husband Dennis; three grandchildren Sara and Hannah Potts and Daniel Horstick; a brother Gerald Wood and wife Marty; a sister Janet Wright and brother in law Clyde Rosenberger. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Malpezzi Funeral Home, Mechanicsburg with viewing held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at Trindle Spring Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Discover Church, 769 Meadow Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
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