Kenneth J. Gatchel

Kenneth James Gatchel, age 84, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2016.  He was the first born of Marie (Vincent) Gatchel and John A. Gatchel on January 27, 1932 in Dixon, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Robert Gatchel and Donald Gatchel.  He is survived by his wonderful wife, Denise (Lunquist) Gatchel of 54 years of blissful marriage; six children, Kenneth, Jr. (Lynee) of Grand Rapids, Elizabeth (John) Rethman of Grand Rapids, Robert (Barb) of Kentwood, Susan (Kevin) Pastoor of Westfield, Indiana, David (Christine) of Wyoming, MI, and Carl (Diana) of Kenwood, MI; 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren; brothers, Eugene (Dolores) of Peru, IL, and Wilbur (Sherry) of Prescott Valley, AZ. He was a graduate of Beloit High School in Beloit, Wisconsin.  He served in the army for two years with his major duty in Korea during and after the war.  He doubled majored in chemistry and physics for his Bachelor of Science degree at Beloit College.  He was employed as a chemist at National Lock Co., Rockford, Illinois, where he met his future wife. He joined Hanson, VanWinkle, Munning Co., Matawan, New Jersey.  They transferred him to their Grand Rapids plant. The company was sold to M&T Chemicals, Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, but he remained at the Grand Rapids plant. He subsequently became a research chemist and later a product manager. When his product line was sold to Lea Manufacturing Co., Waterbury, Connecticut, he was named a sales manager for their Michigan division and later its technical director.  Upon retirement, he became a consultant. He was a long time member of his professional society, the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society. He was the national president in 1997-98, the third to be elected from the Grand Rapids Branch since the society's founding in 1909.He served 10 years on the national board of directors. He returned to national office 2004 when he was elected to a three-year term as their treasurer. He was honored by this society with many awards for his abundant activities. He was an emeritus member of the American Chemical Society, joining in 1959. He was a strong believer in education, both for his children and grandchildren and all children.  He was a trustee of the Kentwood Public Schools Educational Foundation for seven years and served four of those years as its president. He was a member and fourth degree knight in the Knights of Columbus, a member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church and very active in his many hobbies. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 11:00 am at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 1253 – 52^nd St. SE with Rev. Godfrey Onyekwere, celebrant. Interment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Members of the family will receive relatives and friends at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Chapel (Kentwood), 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE on Thursday from 5-8 pm with a Rosary Service at 7:30 pm. The family will also receive relatives and friends on Friday from 10 am until the time of the service at the church. The family requests that memorial contributions be give to a charity of one’s choice.