Posted by Richard M Dunnigan on October 27, 2007:

Kenneth Cruikshank Van Auken, Colonel, U. S. Army (Ret), age 83, of Plano, TX, formerly a resident of Richmond VA for 29 years, died October16, 2007. He is survived by 4 children: Elaine Atkinson of Plano, TX; Virginia Bess of Lexington, KY; Karla Dunnigan of Valrico, FL; and Kenneth P. Van Auken of Richmond, VA; 13 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. In faith he is reunited with his wife of 56 years, Virginia Pohl Van Auken who preceded him in death on October 22, 2004. A 1946 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and and a 1952 graduate of Purdue University with a Master of Science in Engineering, Colonel Van Auken proudly served in Korea and Vietnam during his career, which spanned 30 years of military service. Subsequently, and after retiring from the U. S. Army in 1976, Col. Van Auken served as the Director of Planning, Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board for 15 years. He maintained his community service even after retirement and was one of the first graduates of Richmond’s Citizen Academy. Col. Van Auken was also an avid tennis fan and served as a professional tennis referee for over 20 years. Colonel Van Auken was passionate about his family and their happiness. He was and remains an uplifting spirit to his family, his West Point classmates and to all whose paths he crossed. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at Central Baptist Church, 1510 Courthouse Road, Richmond, VA 23236. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Interment with full military honors will take place at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to West Point Fund (In Memory of Col. Kenneth C. Van Auken), Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, New York 10996.

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