Kenneth Clifford Jantz

Kenneth Clifford Jantz, age 93, of Eugene, passed away of age related causes on September 2, 2013. He was born on July 11, 1920 in Dalton, South Dakota to Daniel and Alice "Belle" Jantz and was the oldest of 7 children, all of whom he mentored throughout their younger years.

On December 12, 1942 he married Mildred Irene Rhodes in Rosemount, Minnesota. They moved to Oregon in 1950, and always considered it to be their home, though they lived in many other places due to his work. With only a high school education, he became an accomplished engineer who oversaw the construction of hydroelectric/coal-fired power projects all over the world - spending many years in exotic locations like India, Turkey, Vietnam, Korea and Somalia. He was always looking for a reason to share good times with friends and co-workers, so he was the honoree (and often the host) at several "retirement parties" over the years, but he always found just one more project to which he could contribute his vast knowledge and experience. He worked until the age of 92 as a consultant to Evergreen Engineering in Eugene, and was grateful for the chance to keep doing what he loved. He had a remarkable memory and could still recite poetry he had memorized in grade school ? he had an irrepressible sense of humor, remembered every joke he ever heard, never missed a chance to share them with anyone who would listen, and always smiled the broadest at the punch line! He loved to travel, to read, and was a great chef. He always had dogs in his life and spoiled them as he did everyone else. He felt a responsibility to care for every one of his family and friends, and did so with great humility, simply because he could. His greatest legacy to everyone who knew him lies in the way he lived his life every single day. He had known both Princes and paupers, and he treated everyone the same -- with honesty, with endless generosity and with unfailing kindness.

He was a member of the Elks, Shriners, Masons and Scottish Rite. He is survived by his daughter Carole Bradford and son-in-law Jim Bradford, his brothers Leslie Jantz of Vista, CA, Myron Jantz of Thane, WY, sisters Flora Gerg of Eugene, Alice Maher of McPherson, KS and Vera Pearce of Topeka, KS. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mildred and his brother Dan Jantz.

A private service and inurnment will be held at Rest Haven.