The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023 - 45

In Memoriam
Beloved Former IEEE-HKN Governor,
Dr. Kenneth Laker, Passes
Sadly, Dr. Kenneth Robert Laker, 76, of Yardley, PA, passed away on 2 August 2023. Ken
was a towering figure who gave to IEEE-HKN throughout his illustrious career, serving
on the IEEE-HKN Board of Governors from 2014-2016. Through his tireless service, he
became beloved by all at HKN. He worked closely with the HKN Lambda Chapter at
the University of Pennsylvania. According to his beloved wife of 55 years, Mary Ellen, " I
remember when Ken was a student and how excited he was to become a member of
Eta Kappa Nu, so it was a long relationship that he very much valued. It held a special
place for him. "
Tribute gifts in honor of Ken
can be made to IEEE-HKN
via the IEEE Foundation:
Despite being dyslexic and struggling in school, Ken persevered through Manhattan
College and earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from NYU. He continued on to write
several textbooks, teaching students and colleagues across the world in classrooms at
Oxford, MIT, the National University of Singapore, and in his 35-year post as the Alfred
Fitler Moore Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He was also proud to serve as
President of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1999, helping
over 400,000 fellow members from 190+ different countries improve their shared
profession. During his career, Dr. Laker started a semiconductor company, served on
several corporate boards, and authored patents at Bell Labs, now AT&T. He also served
his country as a captain in the United States Air Force.
His stories and laughter filled every room he entered until his passing, and he will forever
fill the hearts of his family and friends, especially Mary Ellen, whom he married 55 years
ago. His three sons, three daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren - John and Alice,
Melanie and Jack, Chris and Jacqueline, Brian and Karen, Georgia and Lucia, and the
extended family and friends he loved so much.
We will truly miss how he always fully embraced life with unyielding positivity and are
grateful for all his many contributions to IEEE-HKN. May he eternally rest in peace.
HKN.ORG
45

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The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023