Posted by Richard M Dunnigan LtCol USMC (ret) on November 1, 2007:

I had the pleasurer of marrying Col Van Auken's Youngest Daughter KARLA! Being a Marine Officer, Ken welcomed me into his family with open arms! Like most of us earthly souls -- we never realize the worth, and the magnitude of the life of an admired friend until it is too late. Such is my case, I escorted Ken to his 60th class reunion! He was frail and weak physically. But when we entered that Cadet Chapel -- boy did his eyes come alive as the class solemnly remembered in a Tap's Role call those that have passed from this life! Gosh, what a great person -- Ken ALWAYs placed others before himself! Seriously, in so many ways he would make others his first and foremost responsibility. Always! That was a trait of ken's that I witnessed for 25 years. He took care of his Wife Virginia -- as tough a task as it could be as she suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Gosh -- this was tough for me! I can only imagine how hard this was for Ken. And then there were special occassions -- Ken would wear his coveted 1946 West Pont Military Academy Ring -- worn from over 30 years of serving his country! But, as he gave his daughter in marriage raising her hand to grasp mine; I noted that special West Point Ring. God - he so much loved his family -- and more importantly his roots; born on the "plain" of West Point -- Ken is indeed a member of that "Long Grey Line" -- I never as a Marine Officer could understand that term until in the May of 2006; I stood along the side of Ken to Observe his class marching before the "Long Grey Line" of 2006 assembled for its March in review and graduation. This man, my wife's Dad, my personal friend will be missed dearly! Please provide me with your recollections of Ken so that I can dedicate my time to writing his memorial! Sincerely Yours, a faithfull servant -- Rich Dunnigan, Ken's faithful US Marine Corps Son-in-Law LtCol USMC (ret)

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