Kenneth Emerson Coombs, age 90 of Bristol, passed away suddenly in the home he loved, on February 10th 2015. Ken was robust and independent to the end, enjoying visitors and outings regularly. Ken was born July 11th 1924 in Waterville, Maine to the Late Kenneth B. Coombs and Irma H. Coombs (nee Emerson). He was the brother to the Late Ernest A Coombs of Toronto Canada.

Ken attended School at Waterville High School, where his father Kenneth B. Coombs taught Chemistry. He went on to study Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Ken also served with the US Military During WWII, being stationed in Panama, and was honorably discharged in 1943 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After returning to work in Maine for a spell, Ken took a job at The University of Kansas as a professor of Architecture. Here, in 1948, Ken met his late beloved Geraldine who was studying for her Masters Degree in mathematics, and they were married October 13th 1951.

Ken then started his own practice, and eventually became Chief Architect for the City of Kansas MO, while Gerry provided mathematical algorithms to Midwest Research Institute during the early space program.

Ken and Gerry lived life to the fullest out west, where Ken sped about in his Aston Martin, when he wasn’t buzzing the fields as a pilot in his fabulous Stearman Biplane. Ken was also an avid and skilled golfer, being the only member of the Coombs family to ever score a hole in one!

After retiring in 1982, Ken and Gerry settled in his home state of Maine, in a wonderful period home in Bristol. Ken however remained very active, acting as Architect for local building company, Poole Brothers, and chaired the Bristol Town Planning Board for many years.

Ken joined the newly formed Old Bristol Historical Society in 2005, where he used his expertise in helping survey and map historical sites in Bristol. Ken remained a director until 2013, and was recently given honorary membership of the board of directors. Ken was a well respected, vibrant member of the community, and his passing will touch all who met him.

He is survived, and terribly missed by, his niece, Catherin LaFort of Canada; and nephew Christopher Coombs and his wife Natalie of Bournemouth, England. Ken will also be sadly missed by his “grandchildren”, Laura and Mia of Bournemouth, England, and Caitlin, Liam, Lucas, Carter and Amy of Toronto Canada.

A graveside service will be held for Ken in early August, 2015, at the Chamberlain Cemetery in Round Pond. Service arrangements will be published when they are available. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

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