Medford, Ore.,– Employees at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport are mourning the death of a long time friend tonight.
The man who made a part of our air travel experience more user friendly, died in a freak accident at his home on friday.
While most of us may not have heard of 59-year-old Ken Schoening….
Employees know he helped make day to day operations run more smoothly.
And his work for the past two decades has made for a safe and efficient airport experience.
Airport director Bern Case says, “I don’t think Ken is replaceable. He was just special and became a great friend to all of us.”
He says this man, Ken Schoening was a vital part of day to day operations.
“There’s very little… I can’t think of a thing in the airport that he hasn’t touched in one way or another.”
Schoening was the airport’s engineer. Contracted to oversee projects involving the runways, the newer control tower and the airports renovation in 2009.
Tragically over the weekend, Schoening died while working on a car at his Medford home.
His wife, Diana says he had a heart of gold.
“He would give you the shirt off his back, he would go out of his way to do anything for anybody.”
Diana says she had no idea how much he meant to so many people.
“It makes me proud of him, very proud. I didn’t know there was that many people who cared for him.”
The service for Ken will be at Memory Gardens next Monday but they are not sure what time yet.
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