Kenneth Alfred Wallat, 71, of Howland, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2018, surrounded by family at the James Cancer Center at OSU Medical Center in Columbus. For more than a year, Ken fought hard against multiple cancers but ultimately lost his battle due to complications of treatment for bladder cancer.
Ken was born December 9, 1946, in Philadelphia, to Lena (Bartulis) and Alfred Wallat.
He married Patricia Duez on December 14, 1968. They were married for 50 years. Ken recently noted the reason for the longevity of his marriage was, “because I found my angel.”
Ken graduated from Drexel University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering after which he enjoyed a long career in the steel industry.
Originally working for US Steel in Bucks County, where he met his wife and later moving to Trumbull County in 1976 to work in the mills of Copperweld Steel where he was employed until it closed.
Ken was a conversationalist and one of his favorite topics was steel. He loved to talk with friends and strangers alike and would often tell stories of his time in the mill, working with customers and traveling to Japan to meet with steel executives. After his career in steel, Ken worked at Seven-Seventeen Credit Union where he made many friends among his coworkers.
Even though Ken and Pat left Philadelphia so many years ago, those that knew him would say that “Philly never left Ken.” In addition to dutifully visiting his east coast family and friends many times over the years, Ken was often seen wearing an Eagles logo or watching the Phillies on TV with his family.
Ken loved to be outside. Whether sitting in front of his house to visit with the neighbors or doing yard work, if the weather was nice, Ken was likely outside. He was an avid golfer, golfing competitively in college and later in leagues around Trumbull County including at Walnut Run G.C. where he was a member.
Ken valued family above all else. He took pride in his relationships with family members. Whether cooking a meal for his daughter’s family or catching up with his grandson or other visiting family members, Ken always cherished the moments spent with his family.
Ken loved to play games; Pinochle, darts and board games just to name a few. In his recent, retired years he would spend hours playing Words with Friends and Sudoku on his phone.
Besides his wife Pat, he is survived by daughter, Dara (Kevin) McGee of Columbus and grandson, Kyle Ehrhardt of Columbus; brother, Richard Wallat of Greensburg, Pennsylvania and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father.
A memorial service to celebrate Ken’s life will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Peter Rossi and Sons Funeral Home, 1884 North Road. Guests are asked to arrive at 1:00 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. service.
Donations can be made by dedicating a Relay for Life luminaria in Ken’s name: American Cancer Society, PO Box 4317, Warren, OH 44482.
Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to sign the guestbook and send condolences to Ken’s family.
