Kenneth E. Schussel
June 20, 1924 - September 2, 2015
Kenneth Elwood Schussel, 91, passed away September 2, 2015 after a long illness, in Danville CA. where he lived with his wife for 44 years. His family was by his side.
Ken was born an only child in Dallas, TX. on June 20, 1924, to Ella Mae and Ernest Schussel. He was adored by his entire family, who nicknamed him Sonny Boy. The family soon moved to San Francisco, CA. where he graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1942. At a City College Freshman mixer, he met 16 year old Gloria Clavora, whom he married August 24, 1947, and remained with for 68 years.
Ken served in World War II in The U.S. Army Air Force. As a Staff Sergeant, he served overseas in Naples, Italy, and Belgrade, Yugoslavia, where he was the subject of front-page news in 1946 when he, and two of his fellow soldiers were falsely accused of the murder of a Russian Military Police Officer. They were then put into protective custody in the Ambassodor’s home while negotiations proceeded. With the help of Senator William Knowland, Ken and the others were later released and cleared of all charges after seven months of headlines. He returned home to his parents, along with his young, adopted dog, Cookie. The three soldiers remained life long friends. With The Korean War approaching, he then decided to join the Naval Reserves where he served as a Lieutenant JG for a number of years.
After he and Gloria were married, he went back to school, attending the University of California at Berkeley, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business in 1949. He worked for Dow Chemical, and Crown Zellerbach Packaging Divisions for many years until he took early retirement in 1986 at the age of 62, working independently in the industry for three more years.
Ken lived a simple life. He had a wonderful sense of humor, worked hard, and loved his family. He enjoyed traveling, whether it was visiting Europe, driving to the Southwest, or playing golf in Hawaii. He and Gloria held season tickets to the Symphony, but he also loved Frank Sinatra, Eydie Gorme, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, among others. He was a voracious reader, devouring history novels and murder mysteries. And, of course, he was a huge sports fan, rooting for the Giants, the 49ers, the Warriors, and especially for his beloved Cal Bears.
Ken is survived by his wife, Gloria Schussel, son, Kenneth Schussel Jr, daughter and son in law, Karen and Thomas Stack, granddaughter and husband, Kendra and Timothy Nelson, granddaughter and husband, Jovanna and Nathan Patrick, grandson, Samuel Stack, and great granddaughter, Kennedy Ryan Nelson.
Ken will be laid to rest with his parents at Olivet Memorial Park in Colma, CA.
He once wisely said, “You can’t always make it right, but you can make it work.”