Ok, thanks Roy. Obituary postings in newspapers and such have changed over the years and in many cases are very, very expensive to put in many newspapers. Many funeral homes do post 'something' about the services they handle, as you mentioned, but seemingly, not all. It is unfortunate that no obituary information was posted by the family.

Maybe our comments here and experiences with our interactions with him can, in some way, serve as that. If anyone has any additional experiences with Ken or know more about his professional life, please add that here if you are so moved.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Here's a photo of Ken at NARAM 50 with his 'Bacon Bits' Odd Roc.
I think this is one that he tried to get Estes to produce...

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
SAM #0031

That may have been the basis for the Estes 'Pigasus' kit that was briefly listed on the Tower Hobbies/Great Planes website over a decade ago.

__________________
Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

In one of Ken's posts he said he designed the Estes converter, which marketing released initially in a starter set, but the rocket in the set was named "Screw Machine" which Ken objected too, and was eventually dropped and the Converter kit was introduced using the same plastic screw couplers. I found that funny. It took years of searching, but based on his story I eventually found and got a "Screw Machine" rocket. RIP Ken.

Yes, that's the one.

As Roy noted, I was able to speak directly with Ken's long-time companion friend, Vicki Peine, today. Vicki confirmed that Ken Montanye died on Sunday, January 17, 2021. Vicki said that Ken had developed several health issues beginning in August 2020 and he continued to get worse. She said that Ken was moved to a care facility, but he continued to lose weight and he suffered from a number of things, including kidney and heart problems. Ken's final wishes were to be cremated. There was no funeral or memorial service. The family has been very quiet about his passing. Even the Butler Museum where Ken worked for such a long time did not know of his passing until much later afterwards. It is sad to see someone go like this.

Vicki did express her appreciation for all the kind words and sentiments expressed on here from the Model Rocket community in remembrance of Ken Montanye. If I find out more, I will attempt to provide an update.

Ken Montanye was 68 years old. His birthday was August 12, 1952.

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

Thanks for that update. He was three days shy of being exactly a decade older than me.

Yes, sorry the family has been so quiet about his passing, but I guess they are allowed 'their ways' when it comes to something like this. But sad still.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

I am so very sorry to hear Ken has passed.

My daughter, Emma, and I met Ken under the shuttle Enterprise at the Smithsonian's Udvar Hazy museum.

Emma and I took a day off from NARAM 50 and went to the Smithsonian. We were looking at the model rocket collection which was just adjacent to the port wing of the Enterprise. I happened to look over under the shuttle and noticed Vern and Gleda on a tour with Ken. Emma and I walked over, introduced ourselves, and then went to look at the (totally pathetic) model rocket display. It was frankly embarassing to be there with Vern and Gleda and see virtually no Estes items on display.

After that visit Ken started a movement to get Air and Space to display a better representation of their considerable collection of model rocketry artifacts. We communicated frequently about various approaches. The bottom line is that we were both totally appalled when they let us know they would be willing to display more items if we would purchase new display case(s) for which they charge $50,000 apiece. We were both just totally disgusted.

I honestly believe the creation of the National Model Rocketry Museum at a non-Smithsonian facility resulted from that very unfortunate attitude Ken and I experienced.

After that we communicated intermittently over the years to discuss some serious health issues. I was so very impressed with his ability to overcome very difficult changes. We also talked about a few models he did for Estes. The Skywriter pencil rocket was his design as was the 36 D Squared.

In 2015, when his mom passed, Ken lost the main storage area for most of his collection, so he sold off most of it.

Ken was a good friend.

I will miss him.

Cool. Wish I had known that, I might have taken better care of my Converter, which also rests in peace. I'll have to keep my eyes out for another one.

__________________
Paul
If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane - Jimmy Buffett
NAR #87246 www.wooshrocketry.org

The post about the Srew Machine Kit is here:
https://www.oldrocketforum.com/show...610&postcount=1 and that links to his original post about it.