LARNED — Kenneth Dean Hewson, died July 30, 2013, at his home in rural Larned.
He was born June 13, 1921, in Larned. He was the son of Mystel Brown and Harold Charles Hewson.  
He attended Larned schools except for two years at rural Centennial School District 6, and graduated from Larned High School in 1939.  He graduated from Kansas State University in 1943 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering.  He was an instructor in the ESMWT program at Kansas State until he began working in the RCA Victor division of the Radio Corporation of America in October of 1943, where he was assigned to the design and development section in Harrison, N.J. He worked there until the end of WW II.
At the end of the war, he was asked to return to Kansas State as an instructor to construct a television transmitting station which went on the air as WXBV in early 1948.  Kansas State basketball games were televised from Nichols Gymnasium to the Student Union and a large screen in the college auditorium. During this time he taught a beginning course in Electrical Engineering and several laboratories.
He received his master’s of science in electrical engineering in 1949.  Shortly thereafter, he returned to Larned to join his parents in the family farming operation.  
During the off season of wheat farming he was asked to return to Kansas State as an assistant professor of electrical engineering to perfect color television equipment which was then demonstrated at the Kansas State Engineering Open House in the Spring of 1952 and at a number of high schools over the state.
In the winter of 1953, he became associated with Jim Adams of Adams Radio and TV.  He provided radio and TV services, two way radio installation,  service as well as design and installation of public address systems throughout the community and maintenance of the pipe organ at the First Presbyterian Church in Larned.  He also tutored high school students in physics and mathematics.
He was a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, the Institute of Radio Engineers, Sigma Tau an honorary Engineering Fraternity, The First Presbyterian Church of Larned, and the Board of Trustees of Kansas State University Foundation for many years.  Ken was a past Secretary of the Pawnee County Farmer’s Union and a Pawnee Township Trustee for 40 years.
He married Mary Elizabeth McDonald June 21, 1946 in Danforth Chapel on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence.  
Their first daughter, Rebecca Anne, was born Feb. 5, 1949 in Manhattan.  Their second daughter, Roberta Dale, was born March 9, 1952 in Manhattan.  The third daughter Margaret Marie, was born October 24, 1958 in Larned.
Ken was preceded in death by his wife Mary E. on Nov. 30, 2010.
Survivors include daughters, Beckie Lewis, rural Baldwin City; Robbi Grogan and husband Steve, Loch Lloyd, Mo.; and Dr. Maggie Smith and husband Andy, Leawood; six grandchildren; Lincoln Landon Lewis and wife Irene K. Arifin, Hamilton Hewson Lewis, Tyler Wade Grogan, Tanner Christian Grogan, Tate James Grogan and Elizabeth Whitney Smith.      
Funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Larned, with Pastor Dennis Scheibmeir presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Morell Funeral Home, Larned.  Burial will be in Larned Cemetery immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Larned or Kansas State University Foundation for the Kenneth D. and Mary E. Hewson scholarship in Electrical Engineering in care of Morell Funeral Home, P.O. Box 124, Larned, KS 67550-0124.
Condolences may be left at www.morellfuneralhomellc.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Morell Funeral Home  ##
1021 Broadway Street
Larned, KS, 67550
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Aug. 1. 2013