Dad was a Fighter

 After he passed, I talked with people about Dad. And I would often hear the comment that 'Dad was a fighter'. It got me to thinking about how this applied to his entire life . . .

 Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Birth, on August 15, 1923 in Whittemore Iowa, one of six sons of Andrew and Christina.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Boyhood, growing up and playing with his five brothers.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Baseball, playing catcher and outfield for his town and high school teams.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  His country, moving to San Diego to build B-24 bombers during the war.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Love, meeting, falling in love,  and marrying Eleanor.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Family, having children Stephen, baby girl Elbert, and Michael.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Childhood, raising his sons with good values, and supporting them in Little League and Scouting.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Education, seeing each of his sons finish high school and graduate from the University of Calif.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Freedom, buying an RV and traveling the country with Eleanor.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Devotion, loving and caring for her in the two years after her brain tumor.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Love again, meeting Christine and sharing the rest of his life with her.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Family again, becoming a 2nd father to Speare and Lex.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Retirement, traveling in their RV cross-country, and cruising the world.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Generations, loving a granddaughter and two pairs of grandsons, then recently a great-granddaughter.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Golden years, moving to assisted living with Christine  as life slowed down.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  New life in Camarillo, walking every day, making new friends, going to church, and getting out to see new things.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Communication, calling Christine, Norv, and others every day while struggling to master a smartphone.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Recovery, fighting in the hospital for two weeks after collapsing from an infection.

Dad was a fighter, he fought for  . . .  Eternity, passing away on July 24, 2014.

Dad was a fighter all of his life.

Kenneth F. Elbert
August 15, 1923 – July 24, 2014

Ken had a long life of more than 90 years before going to be with the Lord. He started life in Whittemore Iowa, one of six boys. He had a lively childhood, and was close to his brother Norvin. Ken was good at baseball, playing for his town and school teams. His younger brothers Dean and Charles later ran Elbert’s Hardware for many years.

However, Ken did not like the snow. After graduating from Presentation Academy and getting training as an aircraft assembler, he left Iowa with some buddies. They went on a cross-country journey to Baltimore, then back west on Route 66 to California. A chance recommendation in Los Angeles then sent him down to San Diego. There he assembled B-24 bombers at Consolidated Vultee. After the war he entered the plumbing business, working at San Diego Pipe and Supply.

He met a cute secretary named Eleanor, and they married in 1947. They bought a house in Kearny Mesa and raised two sons, Stephen and Michael. Ken taught them about tools and building/repairing things. He also actively supported the boys in Little League baseball as a coach/manager, and in Scouting as an adult leader. He imbued in them an optimistic ‘get it done’ attitude. He enjoyed wood-working and deep-sea fishing.  He could drop the engine out of a Corvair in about 30 minutes. The family went on annual trips to Yosemite Nat’l Park, culminating in a climb to the top of Half Dome. He was very proud that each son went on from high school to graduate from the University of California. For many years Ken was an outside salesman for Industries Supply Co, did estimating/purchasing at A.O. Reed, and finally worked at Jackson & Blanc.

Now empty-nesters, Ken and Eleanor bought a small RV in preparation for doing a lot of traveling. However, their retirement plans were cut short by her tragic illness and early passing in 1980. He then developed a handyman business that covered San Diego County, working everywhere from private homes to San Diego State dorm rooms. Ken always supported the Padres, and was excited to attend a World Series game.

He also had met a charming lady named Christine, and they became constant companions. They drove their larger RV cross-country through the Mid-West to Cape Cod and back, while also traveling and cruising the world - Hawaii, Mexico, Britain, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Ken enjoyed gardening (especially bromeliads), growing vegetables, playing golf, and doing home improvement projects. They eventually acquired a lively little dog that they named KC (for Ken-Christine), who constantly kept them busy and amused.

As they slowed down, Ken finally left his house of 50 years and moved to assisted living at Grossmont Gardens, then the last six months at Royal Gardens in Camarillo CA. Ken was always known for his cheerful attitude, kind words, and warm smile to everyone, and for his love and dedication to Christine. After fighting a severe infection for two weeks, Ken passed away at Kaiser-Sunset Medical Center in Hollywood CA on July 24.

Ken will be missed by his family: his dear Christine; older brother Norvin of Grafton ND; son Steve (and Arlene) of Lafayette CA, son Mike (and Linda) of Camarillo CA, and Christine’s sons Speare and Lex Valasakos of San Diego CA; grandsons Daniel, Scott, Chris, and Bryan Elbert; granddaughter Regina (and Vinod) Vinukonda; great-granddaughter Asha Joy Vinukonda; and by his nephew Dennis and numerous other Elberts in Kossuth County IA and throughout the mid-west.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Andrew S. Elbert and Christina (Kollasch) Elbert; his beloved wife Eleanor; and his brothers Melvin, Dean, Charles ‘Soz’, and Msgr Armand Elbert.

Date:         August 23, 2014

Time:         3 - 5 PM

Where:      St. David's Episcopal Church

                  5050 Milton Street

                  San Diego, CA   92110

Provided:   light food, drinks, desserts

Bring:         Your memories, stories, 
                   anything to share about Ken

Note:          this is not a formal church service, just a gathering
                  of San Diego family and friends to remember Ken.