Kenneth Donald Visscher

KENNETH DONALD VISSCHER, age 63, of Portage, Michigan. Ken passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2021 from sudden cardiac arrest. Ken was born on June 11, 1958 in Columbus, GA, while his father served in the US Army. Ken spent most all of his childhood in Portage, Michigan. He graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1976. Ken joined the US Navy in the spring of 1976, with a delayed entry program, which started after high school graduation. Initially, being stationed in Great Lakes, IL he was able to come home weekends. Sunday, Oct. 1, 1978 he met the love of his life, Mary Kuiper Visscher, in the back row of church. Ken was the interim youth leader at his church and often teased he was his wife's youth group leader. While in the US Navy, Ken initially taught Electronics. He dismissed his students an hour early on Wednesday nights, so that he could call his girl in Kalamazoo. Ken and Mary were married September 12, 1980 in Kalamazoo, MI. Ken was an original crew member, a "plank owner", on the USS AQUILA, a Hydrofoil, which was commissioned in June 1982. Ken was honorably discharged Dec. 1982. Thanks to the US Navy, they moved six times in their first two years of marriage, to all corners of the USA, living in Great Lakes, IL; Vallejo, CA; Norfolk, VA; Key West, FL and Bremerton, WA. Because of the travels, they made friends all across the USA, many whom they have kept in touch with. Ken valued relationships. After being discharged from the US Navy, Ken worked for NBI as a field Engineer before starting his career at The Upjohn Co in Kalamazoo, MI. Upjohn merged with Pharmacia and later became Pfizer. In July 2003, when Pfizer closed Research & Development in downtown Kalamazoo, Ken found an opportunity with Eli Lilly in Indianapolis. Ken made weekend trips home for the first seven years, while waiting for the home to sell. Indianapolis area then became home. Having to leave majority of the family behind, meant countless trips to Michigan from Indy. Ken was a subject matter expert in NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). While at Eli Lilly, Ken set up the entire Open Access NMR paradigm and strategy. Ken helped deploy this strategy not only in Indianapolis but was key in the implementation of this NMR strategy across Lilly Research centers around the globe including San Diego, CA; Boulder, CO; Erlwood, UK; Alcabendas, Spain as well as others. Some say Ken was the "brain child" when he implemented the use of the Atlassian Jira, a software tool for enhancing Project Management. Ken's attention to detail, documentation, and organizational skills were second to none. Ken made a difference in the lives of team members, colleagues, and customers he supported. He embodied the spirit of Colonel Eli Lilly, where he took what he found, and made it better, regardless if it was a project, a person, or a situation. Ken was extremely well respected and appreciated by all those that he worked with, and made a lasting impact through the work he did each day over the course of his career. Ken retired from Eli Lilly on October 29, 2021, after having moved back to Michigan a short time prior. Ken was eager to spend more time with family and friends and enjoy retirement. Ken had a great sense of humor, loved to have fun and had a bigger than life attitude. He loved a challenge and he had the ability to think outside the box. Ken loved to work and play in the outdoors. He loved to travel, especially if his wife found him a good deal. He cherished his wife, Mary, who survives him, set an example of sacrificial, unconditional love, and was a fierce protector of her and all his children and grandchildren. Ken also taught the value of personal responsibility and hard work to his children. Surviving are his five children, spouses and grandchildren: Matthew and April (Ty, Colden), David (Chloe, Ava), Mark and Erin (Easton, Laina), Daniel and Mary (Bella, Elena) and Elizabeth. He is survived by his father, Donald K. Visscher, his siblings and spouses: Julie (Jim) Kelly, Jennifer (Tim) Callahan and Lisa (George) Peters, Dale (Laura) Sweet, his brothers-in-law Jim Kuiper and Tom Kuiper. Many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Jacqueline and Glenn Sweet, his stepmother Gail Visscher, parents-in-law Henry and Agatha Kuiper and brother- in- law Dennis Kuiper. Ken was a man of integrity. He had a humble servant's heart in every aspect of his life. He was a testament to his devotion to God, family and country. Cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 9th at 1:00pm at Kalamazoo Community Church 2435 N. 26th St. Kalamazoo, MI. Visitation and refreshments will follow the service. Ken felt "ties are from the devil" so casual attire would honor him. Charitable contributions can be made to SHALOM PO BOX 265, Kalamazoo, MI 49004 or a "pay it forward" (not tax deductible) to THE CHOSEN 4 S. 2600 W. Suite 5. Hurricane, UT 84737 or online at www.thechosen.tv/pif To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com