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WOODSIDE, Calif. - Kenneth Lee "Ken" Wisner, born in Warren, Ohio, on May 17, 1946, died peacefully on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, surrounded in his final days by the love of family and friends.
Ken was a natural athlete and discovered competitive swimming in his early teens, which became a lifelong passion. He was a standout athlete at Warren G. Harding High School before going on to swim competitively at Youngstown State. There, he became a decorated collegiate athlete, graduating in 1968 with a business degree.
After college, Ken's adventurous spirit led him on a move to the East Coast, with a quick stopover in Bethel, New York, where he proudly attended the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair in 1969. One year later, he hitchhiked across the country, landing in California, and ultimately in Woodside, where he settled down. There Ken founded his own company focused on manufacturing sales, which he built over the span of 47 years until retirement.
Ken was a devoted father, and his children remember him being a constant and guiding light in their lives. He frequently volunteered for field trips, coached sports teams and even taught some of their classmates how to swim. As a grandfather, he treasured every chance to hold, read to and play with his grandchildren.
His lifelong love of swimming led him to participate in many competitions, including swimming from Alcatraz across the San Francisco Bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and across Donner Lake, often enjoying the company of his fellow competitors as much as the races themselves. He continued to swim and practice Pilates until the end of his life.
Ken will be remembered by his family and friends as adventurous, athletic, loving and always the life of the party.
Ken is survived by his two adult children, Kristen and Scott; four grandchildren, Parker, Kendall, Colbie, and Lola; his partner of more than 10 years, Michele; his niece and nephew; and countless friends.
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