Kenneth Wayne Gettler

Kenneth Wayne Gettler, (78), of Westford, Massachusetts passed away in the comfort of his home on March 27^th, 2024.

Ken was born on January 7^th, 1946, to Kenneth and Edna (Corbin) Gettler in Queens, New York. After earning his Bachelor of Science and Engineering Degree from Stony Brook University in 1971, Ken moved to Boston, MA where he met Laura Louise Zetes. They were married in 1974 and have been at each other’s sides for nearly 50 years.

Ken worked as an engineer at Grumman on the Apollo Lunar Module, as a software engineer consultant at Honeywell for 11 years, and as the Principal of his Consulting business, Keng Systems Inc. for roughly 12 years. Ken had a fiercely independent spirit and enjoyed the autonomy of being his own boss while taking on new and complex challenges for companies around the world.

Ken, also affectionately known as Kenny G, Wayne, and Guy, enjoyed many pastimes in his life including sailing, breadmaking, woodworking, driving fast, and admiring high-performance cars, but his true passion was golfing. Ken was an avid and talented golfer, and longtime member of the Butter Brook Golf Club. He participated in dozens of tournaments and traveled to courses around the globe, from California to Ireland.

Ken’s sense of humor, kindness, inquisitive mind, and poetic understanding of the world drew people to him. He was a voracious reader and took courses on a wide variety of subjects throughout his life. Always eager to share his vast knowledge and wonder with those around him, he was a mentor and source of inspiration to many.  

Ken Gettler is survived by his wife Laura Gettler, his loving children; Justin Gettler and his wife Holly (Kaiser), and Jessica Gettler and her wife Sarah (Kotowski), his brothers Bryan Gettler and his wife Gail (Malis) and Jerry Gettler and his wife Leslie (Stonaker), and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and family. He will be deeply missed.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the World Central Kitchen and Rosie’s Place, organizations that Ken supported and felt passionate about. 

Arrangements under the care of the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King St., Littleton, MA. (978)-486-3709, www.badgerfuneral.com