Kenneth Edwin Raak
December 22, 1930 – March 8, 2015
Kenneth E. Raak (known to some as Ken and to many others as “Rock”) was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 22, 1930 to Carl and Frances (Reblitz) Raak. As an only child, he was a devoted son.
After graduating from Thornton Township High School, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954. For three years he was stationed in Germany working in security intercepting Morse code messages during the Cold War. This deployment presented many opportunities for travel to most parts of Europe which he greatly enjoyed.
Upon discharge, he returned to his home state and received his accounting degree from Eastern Illinois University after which he began a lifelong career in the budget and accounting area. He worked for such interesting employers as U.S. Lead, Playboy, and the State of Colorado. Although he had an accomplished and fulfilling career, his heart and efforts centered on home and family.
In 1960, he married Beverly Inman and to this union two children were born. After a family vacation to Colorado, they decided to move to this lovely state in 1972, going on faith and hope since he arrived without a job in hand. However, that quickly changed and he began his long career in state government service working in the Governor’s Budget Office and as assistant director at the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education. After retirement, he returned to part time work with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
On September 1, 1985 Raak married Carolyn Brink. They enjoyed many fun trips together, traveling to 48 of the 50 states (missing Ohio and North Dakota), several Canadian provinces, and throughout Europe. He especially took pleasure in visiting Carolyn’s home state of South Dakota where he loved sampling all the culinary delights of his new relatives, particularly those of his mother-in-law. He also loved visiting the family farm, playing with the dogs and learning about the rural life. He was pleased to learn his in-laws recently honored him by naming their newly acquired Border Collie pup after him, “Rocky.”
The arrival of grandchildren enriched his life beyond measure. Grandpa Raak was shamelessly proud of them and became childish around them, eating junk food with them, and hosting their sleepovers where the morning ritual was eating Swedish pancakes. A highlight was taking the two older grandchildren on an Alaskan cruise where he felt he got his money’s worth seeing two continuously hungry teenage boys indulge in the unlimited buffets.
For more than 20 years, Raak and Carolyn spent time in Arizona, first during spring breaks and then for longer periods after both reached retirement in 2002. Three years ago they purchased a winter home in Sun City. Both loved the life this new adventure presented. What fun they had: taking classes, riding their newly acquired golf cart around the area, making new friends, and connecting with Carolyn’s dear relatives in the area. Hardly a day went by that he didn’t comment on how much he loved being in Arizona.
Raak became ill on February 24, 2015 as a result of an intestinal blockage. On March 8, he passed away surrounded by his wife and two loving children, Robert and Susan. Throughout his life he was always in a hurry, eager to get to the next place or the next item on the agenda. His passing, too, happened quickly, unexpectedly, and with minimal suffering.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of nearly 30 years, Carolyn Brink; his two children: Robert (Leana) Raak of Englewood, Colorado, and Susan (Shawn) Scofield of Grand Junction, Colorado; his four grandchildren: Matthew (Hayleigh) Scofield and Taylor Scofield of Grand Junction and Zachary and Rachel Raak of Englewood. He is also survived by two cousins, Howard (Patricia) Reblitz of Ashburn, Virginia, and Art (Jeannie) Reblitz of Colorado Springs and by two brothers-in-law, Fred Brink of Mt. Vernon, South Dakota, and Michel (Betty) Brink of Redfield, South Dakota.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Interfaith Hospitality Network, PO Box 40550 Denver, CO 80204-0550 or Denver Teachers Club, 1617 S. Acoma St. Denver, CO 80223.