Kenneth H. Kronlund

Kenneth H. Kronlund Sr. (Lt.Col., USAF, Retired) passed into God's arms on June 1, 2017, at age 86, after a long battle against declining health.

He was predeceased by his father Karl, his mother Millie (Smaage) Kronlund, and his daughter Cheryl Flynn. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elaine (Skolfield) Kronlund; his son Kenneth Jr. and his wife Susan (Desrochers) and their sons Eric, Lucas and Jared; his son Craig and his wife Beth (Ganse) and their sons, Benjamin, Zachary, and Daniel; his daughter Lisa Condit and her daughter Annika; as well as by Cheryl's husband Robert and their children Brice, Evan, and Moira Flynn.

Ken was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and graduated from West Point in 1952. He transferred to the Air Force, trained as a fighter pilot, and thereafter always identified himself as the "World's Greatest Fighter Pilot" (WGFP). Professionally, he accumulated more than 4000 hours of flight time, with many of them in an F-104 as a fighter interceptor pilot of his "Vociferous Viking" and later as a Navy exchange pilot on the aircraft carrier Shangri-La. After receiving a graduate degree in Physics from the University of Illinois, he was assigned to the Air Force Academy for several years, "teaching Cadets that physics is fun, flying is fantastic, and that life without Duty, Honor and Country is meaningless". He served as an F-4 pilot in Vietnam, then returned to work in Bedford at MITRE, where he provided invaluable guidance within the JTIDS program. He continued to work as a full-time consultant to similar programs after retirement from the military, working until he was in his 80s.

He was a natural leader and beloved teacher. As an Eagle Scout, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, flight instructor, auto mechanic, college professor, father, husband, fisherman, engineer, physicist, or master chili chef, at work, play, or on a 50-mile hike, he was a best friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor.  He was the one person anyone who knew him would want at their side in any endeavor, public or private. 

He always enjoyed golf, and later in life organized the annual All Academy New England Golf Tournament, which was recently renamed the "Ken Kronlund Classic Golf Tournament" in his honor. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren, delighted in family activities and vacations, and looked forward to the annual "father-son" weekend for the last 30 years. He taught us all to savor the small things, enjoy the journey of life, treat others as you would want to be treated, "Do your Best", and to leave the world a better place.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Ken for calling hours on Monday, June 5th from 5-8 pm at Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton MA, followed by a brief prayer service. A funeral mass will be celebrated at the Cadet Chapel at West Point with interment to follow in the West Point Cemetery, NY at a time and date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, we would encourage contributions to the Daedalian Foundation (PO Box 249, Randolph AFB, TX 78148 or via Daedalian.org), in scholarship support of those who aspire to serve as military pilots.