Obituary of Kenneth "Ken" Willard Wadman

Kenneth Willard Wadman died April 17, 2017 after a lengthy illness. Ken was born in Medford, Massachusetts to Kenneth S. and Dorothy (Cochrane) Wadman on October 14, 1934.Ken served in the United States Army Signal Corps and was honorably discharged in 1966. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in 1957, Ken began his career as a systems engineer with General Radio in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He went on to work for Raytheon, the Mitre Corporation, Honeywell, ARINC, and L-3 Communications in Greenville, Texas. Ken returned to Colorado Springs in 2011 and finished out his career with Jacobs Technology. While at Mitre, he worked on defense projects at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station (where he served as the principal civilian investigator of the false missile warning events of 1979 and 1980); Greenbelt, Maryland; and Dahlgren, Virginia. After 9/11, Ken worked on physical security projects as an army contractor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Ken was a student of religion. He loved learning and reading books on all subject matter. Ken was a passionate toy collector, dedicated gardener and landscaper, and skilled woodworker. He loved traveling. He never met a stranger and was a loving and wonderful friend to all who knew him. His sense of humor was indescribable and brought laughter to every occasion. Ken will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all the neighbor kids with whom he shared his toys and his beloved poodle, Jamie.In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Daly; former wife, Mary MacDonald; and a son, Dennis.Ken is survived by his wife, Ellen. They celebrated their thirty-seventh wedding anniversary in February. He is also survived by four children, Annie (fiancé, Peter Carolla) of Davidson, North Carolina, Edward (Lenore) of Arlington, Massachusetts, Ken of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and Pam of Augusta, Maine; a sister, Susan (Donald) Juhola of Chelmsford, Massachusetts; a brother, John, also of Chelmsford; five grandchildren, Brett, Carl, Grant, Maria, and Serena; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ken was a devout Christian, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and a member of the Knights of Columbus (fourth degree). Rosary, 10:30AM, with a Memorial Mass at 11:00AM, Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1830 South Corona Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905. Reception to immediately follow the services at the church.Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank Abode Hospice for their care and assistance.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ken's memory to the Knights of Columbus, 1830 South Corona Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905. "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Winnie the PoohFuneral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Tuesday, April 25, 2017 10:30AM - 11:00AM St. Joseph Catholic Church 1830 South Corona Avenue Colorado Springs,, CO 80905 Phone: 719-632-9903 Service Tuesday, April 25, 2017 11:00AM St. Joseph Catholic Church 1830 South Corona Avenue Colorado Springs,, CO 80905 Phone: 719-632-9903 Service Tuesday, April 25, 2017 12:00AM St. Joseph Catholic Church 1830 South Corona Avenue Colorado Springs,, CO 80905 Phone: 719-632-9903