Kenneth G. Mayhan

1928 — 2022

Kenneth (Ken) Gordon Mayhan, 93, passed away on May 2, 2022, in Sonora.

Left to cherish his memory are Helena, his wife of 42 years; children Mark (Ronda), Matthew (Deborah), and Michelle Mayhan; son-in-law Carey Bottom; five grandchildren, Jessica, Shawn, Maggie, Collin and Emily; four great-grandsons, Orion, Levi, Luke and Avett; and close friends who were like family to him. He was predeceased by his parents, Jesse Mayhan and Estelle Blankenship; son Michael Mayhan; daughter Christine Mayhan Bottom; brother Richard Mayhan; and sister Darlene Mayhan Krout. Funeral services are pending at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sonora.

Ken was born and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a World War II veteran. He earned chemical engineering degrees from Washington University-st. Louis and a PHD from the University of Missouri-rolla (UMR), now known as the Missouri University of Science & Technology (MST). He did advanced studies at the Mellon Institute and felt privileged to have worked with some of the world's best scientists.

He was a professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, and head of the Polymer Research Group at the UMR'S new Graduate Center for Materials Research where he supervised master's and doctoral candidates and taught graduate level courses. During this period, Ken and an associate also established a specialty materials company. In 2004, he received an honorary UMR Professional Degree for having been the first at UMR to work in the biomedical field.

He transitioned to the private sector in 1976 as technical director for the Technology and Ventures Division of American Hospital Supply Corp. (later becoming Baxter Healthcare), where he conducted research on biomaterials and implant devices, including heart valves, in Irvine, California.

Ken generated numerous patents and authored dozens of scientific articles. He interfaced with the FDA, NSF, NIH and WHO; was active in AICE and ACS; and was elected to UMR'S Academy of Chemical Engineers, as well as UMR'S Chemical and Biological Engineering Advisory Council. He established a consulting firm as a transition to retirement.

He and Helena relocated to Tuolumne County in 1993. He enjoyed sailing, skydiving, long-distance running, swimming a mile a day with Sonora's Masters Swimmers, reading, cooking, gardening, woodworking, volunteering at the Tuolumne County Museum and the Tuolumne County Veterans Museum; and he was active in the Knights of Columbus and St. Patrick's Church.

We remember Ken's humor, generosity, faith, and lifelong quest for knowledge.

Notice

STEPHENS — Lucille Helen Stephens, 88, died Tuesday, May 24, at her Sonora home. Neptune Society of Central California is handling arrangements.