Kenneth Robert Coyne

August 19, 1929 - March 6, 2021

On March 6, 2021, Ken peacefully completed his life journey. Born in Canada in the small northern mining town of The Pas, Manitoba in 1929, he was the youngest of 8 children. Ken’s father, John (Jack), was a blacksmith and farrier and he grew up in the remotest of northern communities with just one room schools and few modern amenities. After his older brothers and sisters left home, he was treated like an only child and spoiled by Theresa his mother, whom he adored. For many years, his beloved dog Rex was his best and only companion.

In 1951 he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and earned his coveted engineering ring and so began his notable and lengthy career. Ken spent 21 years in Toronto raising his family of 6 children with his first wife Lorraine. At the same time, he was raising his value as a skilled specialist, which ultimately landed him in San Francisco with the Bechtel Group of Companies. He spent the next 37 years living in Lafayette CA where he met and married Jeannette Murphy and become a stepfather and step grandfather. Jeannette and Ken enjoyed creating their garden oasis and traveling together. Late in life at 87 he crossed the Polar Circle and completed his bucket list of visiting all 7 continents and got to check off one more box on one of his many lists. He was a gifted man with many talents spending his spare time creating with his hands. From intricate wooden keepsake boxes for each of his 11 grandchildren to the many beautiful garden structures and sitting areas on his property.

His distinguished career required him to traverse the globe and he was respected internationally by his peers and numerous clients for his uncompromising professionalism and pursuit of quality. In 2003, after 23 years with Bechtel, he retired having attained the titles of Vice President of Technology and Engineering for Mining and Metals as well as a Bechtel Principal Vice President.

His third act was volunteering for the Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging, where he helped low income seniors sort out their finances which positively impacted their day to day affairs. Already in his eighties he said he loved helping the “seniors”. Ken is lovingly remembered by his children Michael (Marina), Deborah (Kjell), Theresa (Jerry), Moira, Eric (Christie) and 11 grandchildren Christopher, Jessica, Erin, Josh, Erik, Meghan, Mark, Daniel, Jordan, Joseph, and Isaiah. His son in-law Stuart Morgan, stepdaughter Susan Perry, stepdaughter in-law Caroline Murphy, step granddaughters Chris Perry and Joelle Coghe and step grandson Randy Coghe. He was predeceased by his wife Jeannette, stepson Jimmy Murphy and step grandson Brad Perry. His parents John and Theresa, first wife Lorraine, brothers Robert, Bud and Jim, sisters Arlene, Sis, twin sisters Anita and Marita and youngest daughter Lisa.

No funeral services will be held but there will be a memorial mass in his remembrance at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Walnut Creek. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.