Aug. 31, 1917 – Feb. 20, 2014
On Feb. 20, 2014, Kenneth C. Molver, 96, joined the love of his life, Shirley Fraser Molver.
He said, “My life didn’t really begin until I met her.”
He was known to many as Kenny, though Shirley greatly preferred Ken. A few days before he passed, he was heard telling her he hoped she had found them a good place. He passed away at home with his children holding him and “A Scottish Soldier” playing.
His son Brian piped him on his way. His beloved niece Judy, from Albany, was also able to spend his last days with him.
He was born Aug. 31, 1917 in Albany to Marguerite Springer-Molver and Daniel M. Molver. He had three brothers, Dan, Mickey, and Vern, who predeceased him. He leaves behind sons Kenneth Scott, Stuart, and Brian, and daughter Susanne and their spouses, grandson Casey Fraser and many relatives and friends.
Kenny was very proud of his service in the CCC and Forest Service from 1936 to 1940 and wrote a book on the subject. He took night classes and graduated from Sweet Home High School during this time.
Ken was a proud member of the Flying 20 Hotshots, the FIRST mutual aid crew formed by using four crew from five districts to equal 20, with a foreman and supervisor, while California crews still struggled with 100-person crews.
The Flying 20 was the prototype of the hotshot crew used to this day. He became Clerk and Assistant Ranger at the Cascadia Ranger District (now Sweet Home Ranger District) because of the knowledge and skills he learned in the Boy Scouts and the CCC.
He attended the CCC reunion each year at Longbow Organization Camp. A memorial service will be held at the next reunion, planned for this Aug. 12.
Sweet Home Ranger District Archeologist Tony Farque said of his passing, “Kenny will be missed by so many. He was one of a kind. We here at the Ranger District hold him up as one of our few heroes. He was proud to be NUMBER 19 of the Flying Twenty, but he will remain number ONE to us.”
In 1940 he left the Forest Service to work in the logging industry with his dad “Skipper”, and survived this dangerous occupation.
Ken’s three brothers were serving in Europe and stateside and Ken joined them. While in the Dumbea Valley, the 2nd New Zealand Hospital Regiment was set up across the lagoon and had a pipe band, which practiced twice each day.
Ken learned to love the pipes and that pulled him spiritually though his years in the war. He remained in the military until his retirement in 1977, having attained the highest rank of a non-commissioned officer, Command Sergeant Major.
Dad loved the bagpipes, the outdoors, astronomy, geology, languages, cartography, coin and stamp collecting. He was a true Renaissance man and always had a new topic to research.
He earned his AA degree at the age of 65. He was known for his incredibly kind, selfless, and giving ways. In lieu of flowers, please take a walk in the woods or look for constellations in the skies. Think of someone else first today.
Learn a new word or fact tomorrow. Also listen to bagpipes. It may be a key to longevity.
Kenny would be pleased.
Paid Obituary.