In Memoriam::Staff Sergeant Ken Hendrickson
From R-KIDS of MN and GPF
Hello,
I was president, spokesperson, newsletter editor and lobbyist for the North Dakota chapter of RKIDS (Remembering Kid s in Divorce Settlement) from 1997 to 1999.
On Saturday, January 24, I sadly heard of the passing of R-KIDS member, Staff Sergeant Ken Hendrickson of Bismarck, North Dakota. Ken active in R-KIDS from mid-1997 until 2000. Ken was one of the two guardsmen from North Dakota th at were killed the morning of January 24th in a terrorist bombing on the highway north of Falluhajah, Iraq. Ken lea ves his newlywed wife Reane, son Trevor, stepdaughter Kim Mahood any many friends behind. Ken was casualty number 5 12 in the war.
I first met Ken when he came to one of the R-KIDS meeting back in 1997. He was very quiet, but also very knowledgea ble of the law when it came to divorce, child support and visitation. He was always available to talk to other pare nts going through the heartache and pain of divorce. He never dwelt on his own situation, but instead asked what he could do to help others. He had a dry sense of humor and wit that mirrored mine, and we always had fun talking and sharing each other's experiences. When I felt the strain of legislative lobbying and testimonies in committees, Ke n was always there to talk me through the doubts and get my spirits back up.
When I first met Ken, he was a custodian at Bismarck High School, trying to get a job with computer networking at t he school. He was very good at fixing computer problems, and got me through one computer glitch at my home. He lov ed music like I do, which made him even more endearing to me. Ken had been a math teacher at one time, and enjoyed helping BHS students with their math questions.
One of the last times I talked to Ken he told me about a lady he met, and his anxiety about entering another relatio nship. I was happy to hear that lady, Reane, became his wife only four days before Ken was deployed. Reane's daugh ter Kim was instrumental in getting them hooked up. Ken sent a lot of pictures back of Iraq with the promise to exp lain them all when he returned in March.
The United States, North Dakota National Guard and 957th Multi-Role Bridge Company lost a heroic soldier. His famil y lost a loving son, husband, father, stepfather and R-KIDS lost a very good friend. God Bless your service, Ke n, we salute your service to our country.
Daniel Biesheuvel
You can read his story at:
in-forum.com(Must register)
