Meet the ILR instructors – Kenneth Lund
Ken Marich
The Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) would like you to meet Ken Lund – the Viking warrior, wizard of the astronomical sky and instructor for the ILR. Ken was born in LaSalle-Peru, Illinois, in 1936. His father was a dairy farmer and Ken learned how to milk cows and stare at the stars at the early age of six. His fascination with astronomy grew even stronger when he saw the Arend-Roland comet streak across the sky in 1957 and astronomy has been a large part of his life since then. After earning an associate degree in chemistry and a B.S. degree in business from Northern Illinois University he worked in the petroleum industry for 10 years. From there he entered the world of sales and marketing in the agricultural field and quickly advanced to the Director of Training and Development for the U.S. and Canada primarily with the Sandoz Agro Division.
Ken married Barbara in 1967 and for the next 30 years they lived in Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and Illinois. While during their stay in Iowa, he co-founded the Des Moines Astronomical Society with a fellow stargazer. In search of warmer weather, they retired to SaddleBrooke in 1997. In order to satisfy his restless mind and need for mental stimulation he formed his own company, Success Management. Following this venture he taught management and business education courses at Chaparell College in Tucson.
Getting back to the second love of his life, astronomy, he helped found the SaddleBrooke Stargazers, which is now five years old and has over 40 members. Still not challenged enough and wanting to contribute to his community Ken served on the SaddleBrooke Board of Directors (BOD); he is currently the co-chair of the ALC and ex-officio member of the BOD.
The ILR feels grateful that Ken joined the ILR faculty. He has taught three classes entitled The Joy of Astronomy, two classes in Astro Archeology and two classes on The Vikings. All of his courses are exciting, educational and totally enjoyable. Sign up early when Ken’s courses are on the course schedule as they fill up early. For more information on the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) go to www.sbilr.org.