Kenneth Platzer's Obituary
THE EARLY ENTREPRENEUR
It became apparent to Mr. and Mrs. Platzer very early on that their son Kenneth Jr. was born to be a businessman. Even as a child, he was determined to help them provide for the family and make ends meet during the most challenging economic era of American history. Kenneth was born in May of 1920, the second of five children, and grew up in the McKinley Hills area of Tacoma, Washington. His father was a longshoreman who, as family lore would have it, moved his household whenever the rent was due. Kenneth inherited that drive to survive and readily understood the discipline and work ethic necessary to succeed in life. Whether negotiating smelts at the docks or rallying the neighborhood children to collect and resell used magazines, he was always focused on the bottom line.
THANK HEAVENS FOR WOOD SHOP
Kenneth was a strong athlete in high school, a swimmer who set a state record with his relay team. He would later frequently joke that had it not been for Wood Shop and Phys. Ed., he might never have made it through. But graduate he did from Lincoln High School in 1939. The first project he undertook upon leaving school was to buy, renovate and resell his first house. As soon as he turned 21, Kenneth partnered with friends to invest in and operate a tavern. He simultaneously started working full-time on the Railroad, a job he would hold for many years before and after serving in WWII. He was proud to have been a Radio Operator in the US Air Force and often entertained his family with stories of being stationed in Vegas and of being promoted to Sargent… twice. Back from his Army assignment, Kenneth again teamed up with a friend to buy his next business; an airport in Brown’s Point.
COULD I HAVE THIS DANCE?
It was in a fancy downtown ballroom that Kenneth first laid eyes on Marge. She was dancing with his friend Bill Kaiser. Kenneth requested permission to cut in; Bill somehow disappeared and Kenneth escorted Marge home that evening and right up the aisle on October 9, 1948. Marge had been a military Nurse and easily transformed into a wonderful homemaker, wife and mother to Denise, Casey and Andy. Kenneth and Marge made a great team and tremendously supportive parents. Kenneth was active and involved in his children’s activities as the President of the PTA, coach of his son’s baseball teams and enthusiastic participant in scouting. They never missed their kids’ football games, swim meets, gymnastics routines or piano concerts. The kids’ friends, community families and school staff all knew and respected Mr. Platzer. While working on the Railroad, Kenneth held down two part-time jobs with family members at the Dairy Freeze and at a gas station. He continued to ply his construction talents to buying and renovating houses within the area. The family moved from house to house as the projects progressed, and managed to fit in annual trailer-camping trips. At one point, he bought into a hotel and moved the family in while he and Marge fixed it up for resale.
A MAN OF TRADITION
Wherever the family happened to be living, the tradition of Sunday dinner was sacred. Dad did the meal planning and cooking, and Mom managed dessert and clean-up duty. Kenneth had learned to cook from his parents; how to create improvised meals from very few ingredients. Kenneth loved to collect recipes from around the world and adjust them to his taste. His passion for food led to yet another family business: he and Marge along with other family members operated Das Deli Haus for 20 years. It was a Bavarianstyle restaurant and catering business that hosted the wedding reception for his daughters and many other special occasions. By the time he opened this restaurant, he was already working full-time as the Credit Officer at the Bank. His most fulfilling career moments were achieved in this role, helping small businesses acquire loans and extending financial assistance to those who needed it most. He accumulated 25 years of service and retired from the bank in 1985. Marge and Kenneth were proud and excited at the arrival of their grandchildren. They became eager babysitters and Kenneth was able to express his passion for woodworking by building keepsake pieces of furniture for his grandchildren. During their retirement years, Kenneth and Marge made several trips in their beefed-up Mercury hauling a Rambler trailer. They decked out their El Camino with an ice chest and drove across the country.
A MUCH-RESPECTED MAN
Life was not the same after Marge passed away in 1991. However, his many business interests and hobbies kept Kenneth active and invigorated. His love of cars, photography, ham radio operation and astronomy, not to mention his renown for gardening and flourishing “rhodies”, filled the hours and the days. Of course, his family was ever-central to his existence. They cared for him through two strokes and the physical challenges that ensued. Kenneth passed away on March 22, 2012. Kenneth packed so much into those 91 years that his legacy will be one to respect for generations to come.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth?
Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth make you smile?