KENNETH DEAN HINKLE ~ Class of 1949
August 30, 1931 - November 27, 2007





Kenneth Dean Hinkle of Richland passed away peacefully on November 27, 2007 at home, after a year-long battle with complications from a stroke and COPD. Ken was born on August 30, 1931 in Toppenish, WA. He moved to Richland in 1945 with his parents, Ira S. Sr. and Vera C. Hinkle, and graduated from Richland High School in 1949.

Ken began working at Hanford for General Electric in 1950 and retired from Battelle Northwest in 1994 as a Senior Technical Specialist. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. Always thrifty, he enjoyed picking up bargains at yard sales and gleaning fruit from nearby orchards, usually giving away his finds. He enjoyed being around his family and friends, and was always ready to help those in need. Before his illness, Ken loved to cook, and his family will miss the great foods he prepared for them.

Ken is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sue Ryel Hinkle ('51), children Steve (Karen) Hinkle ('70) of Valencia, CA, Susan Hinkle (Paul) Parsons ('73) of Overland Park, KS, and Tom (Elaine) Hinkle of Richland, Mother-In-Law Jaunita Ryel of Richland, sister Nadine Quackenbush of Kennewick, and brothers Ira Hinkle Jr. and Gary Hinkle ('56), both of Richland, two grandsons, six granddaughters, and two great-grandsons, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other special friends, both young and once-young.

Ken was blessed with a wonderful support group of family and friends and was able to meet with many of them near the end of his life. He is already missed, but is now in a much better place, without the shackles placed on him this past year.

A viewing will be available on Saturday, December 1 between 5pm - 8pm at Einan’s Funeral Home, 915 By-Pass Highway in Richland. A memorial service celebrating Ken’s life will be held at West Side United Protestant Church North in Richland on Sunday, December 2 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat, in Kennewick, WA 99336.

View/Sign Guestbook at Einan's website