Kenneth Edward Manchester Ph.D.

PRINCETON - Kenneth Edward Manchester, Ph.D., a man remarkable for both his humbleness and accomplishments, died on Monday, November 10, 2014 at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Metro Manila, Philippines, after a life of 89 years defined by the three F’s: Faith, Family, and Friends.

Born in Winona, Minnesota in 1925, the only child of Lawrence E. and Daisy (Finley) Manchester, Ken enlisted and left for California after graduation from Winona High School. He proudly served in Patton’s Third Army, 11th Armored Division Company 56B Corps of Engineers.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to California to his best friend, Bonnie H. (Hardgrave) Manchester, who he married and loved for 54 years until her death in 2000. With the support of his new bride, he returned to school, earning his Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and his Master’s and Ph.D. in surface chemistry from Stanford University. Their two children, David S. Manchester and Cynthia M. O’Brien, who both survive him, were born in California. In 1962, the family moved to Williamstown, Massachusetts, and subsequently to Princeton, Massachusetts in 1974 where he lived until his death.

His strong Faith in God sustained him throughout his life, from an early age on the World War II battleground to the loss of a leg in his elder years. During the War, Ken was among the first troops to enter and liberate the concentration camps at Mauthausen in Austria on May 5, 1945. He and his children would relive that remarkable journey in 2010, when they re-traced Patton’s Third Army battle route through Austria, Germany, and France with a group of 11th Eleventh Armored veterans and their families. At every stop, the veterans received warm hugs, tearful thanks, and enduring respect from those families who greatly suffered during the War. During one such stop, Ken was greeted by a camp survivor who vividly remembered Ken gifting him a piece of fruit during the liberation.

A faithful member of The First Congregational Church of Princeton, Ken served on the Board of Trustees and the Stewardship Committee. His handyman skills and love of woodworking were well-used at the Church where his work will endure for another lifetime. In addition to repairing what was broken, he led the rebuilding of the Church’s altar space. As a former Boy Scout and Scout Leader, Ken quietly supported boys from the Church-sponsored Troop in their Eagle Scout projects.

Ken was devoted to his Family. Through his gentle demeanor, quick wit, intelligence, and quiet love, he instilled in them his three F values. He loved to travel. With Bonnie and the kids in the car, he traveled across the country always knowing exactly where the next gas station was. After Bonnie’s death, he and his children continued to travel together to Egypt, China, Tibet, Greece, and many European countries. He loved Cirque du Soleil, and frequently went with Family and Friends to performances in Montreal, Quebec, Las Vegas, and Boston.

Dr. Manchester had an illustrious 37 year career with Allegro Micro Systems, formerly Sprague Electric, retiring as Vice President of Research and Development. He authored many publications and holds numerous patents in his field. In 2009, the National Inventors Hall of Fame inducted Ken for a patent that he co-holds with John MacDougall. The Ion Doping process that they developed made the commercial production of integrated circuits viable; it is a process that is still used today. Ken was also a member of Sigma Xi and contributed an oral history to the Chemical Heritage Foundation.

To know Ken was to love him, and the love was always returned. He would smile and his eyes would light up when seeing a Friend. Through his son, David, currently working in the Philippines for Allegro Micro Systems, he met and embraced the Jubail family, who adopted him as their own. “Can’t” was not in Ken’s vocabulary, so he continued to travel, explore, even hike up Mount Wachusett in his motorized scooter. While in Manila, his motorized hikes were often accompanied by his little dog Pepito, happily stationed in the scooter basket. He enjoyed dinners and sharing a beer with Friends and Family as well as an occasional round of golf when he was able.

His legacy as a scientist is ensured, though it is his devotion to Faith, Family, and Friends that will endure.

Family and Friends are invited to visit from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A funeral service in celebration of Ken’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 17, at The First Congregational Church of Princeton with burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery, Connor Lane, Princeton. Memorial contributions may be made to The First Congregational Church of Princeton, 14 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA 01541. To share a memory or offer an online condolence please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.