Ken was also known as "The Bunk". He was a good soccer player and a good friend. Great guy who would always help you if you need it. I still can think of many good memories of us creating mischief and fun at school events. Especially in Junior high school. R.I.P. Ken.
Ken was the smartest guy I knew in high school and one of the most decent human beings I've ever known. Liz, Lynette and our group called him, "Spunky"! I remember long summer days eating strips at Dwights and church beach parties at night. The world lost one of the good guys to a tragic accident and Ken is truly missed. God Bless.
What words can I use to sum up the friendship I shared with Ken - I guess I will begin by saying that it was an honor to call Ken my friend.
During those seemingly awkward preteen and teen years, it meant so much to be able to talk, and have someone listen – I think it is well known that he was intelligent, and that he had a terrific sense of humor. But, Ken also had developed an early skill of being able to listen – this innate ability would make him a favorite and respected teacher to his students later in his life.
Ken always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips.
Like many of you, I also share fond memories of the time we spent at Mesa View, HBHS, and with the St. Bonaventure’s Teen Club. Days spent at the beach (both day and night) - body surfing, sitting around a bon fire, or playing. Then there were school dances, Frisbee golf, pool parties at Ken’s family’s house, bowling, biking, skating, movie matinees, concerts, and even during the academic part of school – what fun we had!
Later, while attending Berkeley, I came to cherish the letters that Ken would write to me. Letter’s that arrived, just when I was feeling homesick or pressured. His letters provided me an opportunity to know him as a young man. Reading about his experiences, and travels allowed me to see life through Ken’s eyes - I always marveled at his passion, compassion, and the strength in his conviction – his insights about life and people brought me both laughter and tears, as well as, a mature understanding of what a good person he truly was.
Like most people, Ken and I got caught up in our separate, daily lives, and we would lose touch with one another over the years. Yet, I never felt that Ken and I had lost our friendship – inevitably, thru our “parental units”, we always seemed to find one another and we would continue exactly where we left off. It was both sad and poignant, that I learned about his tragic passing - years after he had died. The letter sent by his mom arrived the week I brought Julian home from the hospital after giving birth - I consider this to be Ken’s gift - a way of breaking the news to me gently...to remind me not to mourn things lost, but to celebrate the new.
As many of you have already said, there are so many memories that we shared with Ken – happy memories! Memories made during a time in our lives when we weren’t yet burden by the concerns of adulthood. It was a time when we were carefree. Memories when things seemed so significant, and included the promise of a future. I am sorry that Ken’s future was cut short, but I think he would be the first to say that he lived a 'wonderful life', albeit too brief for all of us that knew him!
Ken was liked/ loved by those of us who remember him, his family and the friendships that he later created.
I know if I have a wish for my son, it is that he meets a friend like Ken.
I was very saddened to read on here that Ken was no longer with us. I played on the H.B. soccer team with him and had been friends with him from Mesa View all the way through high school. He absolutely will be missed.
We met as sophomores at HBHS and immediately bonded a lifelong friendship. I guess we hit it off right away because we were both skinny brainiacs. We also knew each other from St. Bonaventure Church. I remember one time after a catechism class, we went to Pizzaburger and purchased two large pizzas (a 2-for-1 special!). Each of us ate one whole large pizza and watched Monday Night Football! Good times!
Ken was not only brilliant, but also a great athlete. He excelled in tennis, racquetball, soccer, snow skiing, and frisbee golf, just to name a few. He would have been a scary athlete if he had more meat on those bones of his! He was a great competitor...
The Bunk attend Loyola Marymount University after high school and majored in Accounting. After graduation, he took a job with Arthur Anderson for one year, hated it, and retired from Accounting altogether! That was Ken. He was a very socially conscious person who detested materialism.
After that, he began a career as a catholic HS teacher at St. Bernard's near Venice. He loved that job and especially loved working with HS kids. Eventually, he quit and moved up to Oregon and got a job working with migrant workers there (he spoke fluent Spanish, btw). That was his last occupation.
He loved travelling and hiking. He took extended trips to Nicaragua and Peru to experience simpler cultures. He also hiked the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) from Northern Mexico to Washington. His trail name was "Walking Free." His spirituality was an interesting blend of many religions: Christianity, Native American, Buddhaism, etc. He idolized great spiritual leaders like Mother Theresa, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Two of his favorite musical artists were the two Bruces: Springsteen and Cockburn. To me, Bruce Cockburn's song "Child of the Wind" describes Ken perfectly.
Though he was a spiritual person, he also had a wild, fun side to him and loved to let loose. His personality was outgoing and infectious. He also loved rockclimbing and going to high places to meditate. This is how he spent his final moments...not a bad way to go I'd say.
Ken was blessed with many great friendships throughout his shortened lifetime. I feel very honored and privileged to have been one them. A little piece of "The Bunk" will always live inside of me...
I am very sorry to read about Ken's passing. He was "El Hombre" in Mr. Fonseca's ridiculously difficult Spanish IV course ("We are now going to read and translate passages from Don Quixote . . . in the original early 17th century Spanish"). Try as we might, Bill Shoemaker and I could not quite get past him. :-) Ken never made a big deal out of it, though. Vaya con Dios, El Hombre.
I first met Ken on the soccer field, where he very politely but definitively showed me why he was on varsity and I struggled to make the sophmore squad. I remember him smiling the entire time he was on the field, especially when he deftly kicked the ball over my head, ran around me and retrieved his own pass. Later i was blessed with some of those good times Brad mentioned, mostly hanging out with Brad, Scott Stoddard and their crew from Marine View. I also remember him being a terrific student, so I am not surprised that he went on to excel in college. He was always very friendly and kind to me. What I like best about this site and reunions generally i getting the chance to tell people like Ken how much I appreciated their kindness. I am sad that I never got the chance to tell him.
What can one say about Ken that has not aready been said?
Think Liz said it best if you could have a son that holdS all the thing a partent would appreicate that would be KEN! Thank you KEN for being in are lives and showing was what really is important.
LIVE- LOVE - LAUGHT AND LET EVEYONE SEE THERE OWN STRENGHT THOUGHT YOU!!!
I always said since I met you in 3or4th grade and you would show me your flexing chicken muscle arm after trying to do a pull up "WHAT A MAN"
I really had hoped to see Ken again someday as we were good friends back to the Golden and Mesa View days and lost touch after high school. We had the most fun playing hockey(full gear) in our garages with wooden pucks(Mesa View wood shop-Pickens?). We eventually got Mesa View to actually let us organize games in the rink shaped parking lot! Short lived due to injuries. Hours and hours on the Golden View tennis courts and of course Ken was top dog. Of course many trips to the beach with Ken, Bob Simmer, Donn Ehhriech. I'll never forget when Ken had wanted me to show him how to dig up a clam which I had learned in Junior Guards. He didn't have a mask but felt he could see well enough if I pointed out where one was. We dove down and while looking, a crab come by-I pointed and Ken grabbed and I didn't stop laughing for a week-good memories! I had tried over the years to find some of the old friends through parents and such and was so happy to find his parents(HB still in 03) and called. They said the 10th aniversary of his death was coming up and invited me over to catch up but I thought it would be too hard on them? They said Greg(his younger brother) has a family in HB. Well Ken thanks for the great memories and being a good friend. We'll be thinking of you at the reunion. Until we meet again my friend Adios!
Michael O'Brien
Ken was also known as "The Bunk". He was a good soccer player and a good friend. Great guy who would always help you if you need it. I still can think of many good memories of us creating mischief and fun at school events. Especially in Junior high school.R.I.P. Ken.
Michael
Patty Jackson (Wiebe)
Ken was the smartest guy I knew in high school and one of the most decent human beings I've ever known. Liz, Lynette and our group called him, "Spunky"! I remember long summer days eating strips at Dwights and church beach parties at night. The world lost one of the good guys to a tragic accident and Ken is truly missed. God Bless.Elizabeth Valadez
What words can I use to sum up the friendship I shared with Ken - I guess I will begin by saying that it was an honor to call Ken my friend.During those seemingly awkward preteen and teen years, it meant so much to be able to talk, and have someone listen – I think it is well known that he was intelligent, and that he had a terrific sense of humor. But, Ken also had developed an early skill of being able to listen – this innate ability would make him a favorite and respected teacher to his students later in his life.
Ken always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips.
Like many of you, I also share fond memories of the time we spent at Mesa View, HBHS, and with the St. Bonaventure’s Teen Club. Days spent at the beach (both day and night) - body surfing, sitting around a bon fire, or playing. Then there were school dances, Frisbee golf, pool parties at Ken’s family’s house, bowling, biking, skating, movie matinees, concerts, and even during the academic part of school – what fun we had!
Later, while attending Berkeley, I came to cherish the letters that Ken would write to me. Letter’s that arrived, just when I was feeling homesick or pressured. His letters provided me an opportunity to know him as a young man. Reading about his experiences, and travels allowed me to see life through Ken’s eyes - I always marveled at his passion, compassion, and the strength in his conviction – his insights about life and people brought me both laughter and tears, as well as, a mature understanding of what a good person he truly was.
Like most people, Ken and I got caught up in our separate, daily lives, and we would lose touch with one another over the years. Yet, I never felt that Ken and I had lost our friendship – inevitably, thru our “parental units”, we always seemed to find one another and we would continue exactly where we left off. It was both sad and poignant, that I learned about his tragic passing - years after he had died. The letter sent by his mom arrived the week I brought Julian home from the hospital after giving birth - I consider this to be Ken’s gift - a way of breaking the news to me gently...to remind me not to mourn things lost, but to celebrate the new.
As many of you have already said, there are so many memories that we shared with Ken – happy memories! Memories made during a time in our lives when we weren’t yet burden by the concerns of adulthood. It was a time when we were carefree. Memories when things seemed so significant, and included the promise of a future. I am sorry that Ken’s future was cut short, but I think he would be the first to say that he lived a 'wonderful life', albeit too brief for all of us that knew him!
Ken was liked/ loved by those of us who remember him, his family and the friendships that he later created.
I know if I have a wish for my son, it is that he meets a friend like Ken.
LV
Bill Burrows
I was very saddened to read on here that Ken was no longer with us. I played on the H.B. soccer team with him and had been friends with him from Mesa View all the way through high school. He absolutely will be missed.Brad Van Tighem
"The Bunk" was "The Man" as far as I'm concerned.We met as sophomores at HBHS and immediately bonded a lifelong friendship. I guess we hit it off right away because we were both skinny brainiacs. We also knew each other from St. Bonaventure Church. I remember one time after a catechism class, we went to Pizzaburger and purchased two large pizzas (a 2-for-1 special!). Each of us ate one whole large pizza and watched Monday Night Football! Good times!
Ken was not only brilliant, but also a great athlete. He excelled in tennis, racquetball, soccer, snow skiing, and frisbee golf, just to name a few. He would have been a scary athlete if he had more meat on those bones of his! He was a great competitor...
The Bunk attend Loyola Marymount University after high school and majored in Accounting. After graduation, he took a job with Arthur Anderson for one year, hated it, and retired from Accounting altogether! That was Ken. He was a very socially conscious person who detested materialism.
After that, he began a career as a catholic HS teacher at St. Bernard's near Venice. He loved that job and especially loved working with HS kids. Eventually, he quit and moved up to Oregon and got a job working with migrant workers there (he spoke fluent Spanish, btw).
That was his last occupation.
He loved travelling and hiking. He took extended trips to Nicaragua and Peru to experience simpler cultures. He also hiked the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) from Northern Mexico to Washington. His trail name was "Walking Free." His spirituality was an interesting blend of many religions: Christianity, Native American, Buddhaism, etc. He idolized great spiritual leaders like Mother Theresa, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Two of his favorite musical artists were the two Bruces: Springsteen and Cockburn. To me, Bruce Cockburn's song "Child of the Wind" describes Ken perfectly.
Though he was a spiritual person, he also had a wild, fun side to him and loved to let loose. His personality was outgoing and infectious. He also loved rockclimbing and going to high places to meditate. This is how he spent his final moments...not a bad way to go I'd say.
Ken was blessed with many great friendships throughout his shortened lifetime. I feel very honored and privileged to have been one them. A little piece of "The Bunk" will always live inside of me...
Rock On Bunk!
William McCants
I am very sorry to read about Ken's passing. He was "El Hombre" in Mr. Fonseca's ridiculously difficult Spanish IV course ("We are now going to read and translate passages from Don Quixote . . . in the original early 17th century Spanish"). Try as we might, Bill Shoemaker and I could not quite get past him. :-) Ken never made a big deal out of it, though. Vaya con Dios, El Hombre.Bruce Thomason
I first met Ken on the soccer field, where he very politely but definitively showed me why he was on varsity and I struggled to make the sophmore squad. I remember him smiling the entire time he was on the field, especially when he deftly kicked the ball over my head, ran around me and retrieved his own pass. Later i was blessed with some of those good times Brad mentioned, mostly hanging out with Brad, Scott Stoddard and their crew from Marine View. I also remember him being a terrific student, so I am not surprised that he went on to excel in college. He was always very friendly and kind to me. What I like best about this site and reunions generally i getting the chance to tell people like Ken how much I appreciated their kindness. I am sad that I never got the chance to tell him.Autumn Bateson (Johnson)
What can one say about Ken that has not aready been said?Think Liz said it best if you could have a son that holdS all the thing a partent would appreicate that would be KEN! Thank you KEN for being in are lives and showing was what really is important.
LIVE- LOVE - LAUGHT AND LET EVEYONE SEE THERE OWN STRENGHT THOUGHT YOU!!!
I always said since I met you in 3or4th grade and you would show me your flexing chicken muscle arm after trying to do a pull up "WHAT A MAN"
Thank you Brother for the JOURNEY!
Peace Love Light Aloha
Mark Hall
I really had hoped to see Ken again someday as we were good friends back to the Golden and Mesa View days and lost touch after high school. We had the most fun playing hockey(full gear) in our garages with wooden pucks(Mesa View wood shop-Pickens?). We eventually got Mesa View to actually let us organize games in the rink shaped parking lot! Short lived due to injuries. Hours and hours on the Golden View tennis courts and of course Ken was top dog. Of course many trips to the beach with Ken, Bob Simmer, Donn Ehhriech. I'll never forget when Ken had wanted me to show him how to dig up a clam which I had learned in Junior Guards. He didn't have a mask but felt he could see well enough if I pointed out where one was. We dove down and while looking, a crab come by-I pointed and Ken grabbed and I didn't stop laughing for a week-good memories! I had tried over the years to find some of the old friends through parents and such and was so happy to find his parents(HB still in 03) and called. They said the 10th aniversary of his death was coming up and invited me over to catch up but I thought it would be too hard on them? They said Greg(his younger brother) has a family in HB.Well Ken thanks for the great memories and being a good friend. We'll be thinking of you at the reunion. Until we meet again my friend Adios!
Rex Strother
I believe this is Kenneth's memorial at Find a Grave. Can anyone confirm?
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112672824
Kenneth John Bunker
Good Shepherd Cemetery
Huntington Beach, Orange County, California, USA