Kenneth Dean Bischoff

On a beautiful tropical island in the South Pacific, a beautiful baby boy was born on September 28, 1940 in the harbor city of Apia, Western Samoa -- where his parents were serving together as a newly married couple on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also spent a brief time as a baby in Hawaii. As a child, Kenneth's life was full of family activities and fun with siblings and cousins, hard work on neighborhood farms milking cows and bailing hay, and attending school, church, scouting, and community activities. He graduated from North Cache High School. One of his favorite childhood memories was visiting his grandparent's dairy for chocolate malts and going to Grandma Weeks' house for bear claw pastries. Throughout his life Kenneth enjoyed listening to and playing music. He was the saxophone first-chair in high school marching and concert bands. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1960-62 in Canada under mission president Thomas S. Monson.
Shortly after returning from his mission, Kenneth and Mary Ellen Hale were set-up on a blind date to a USU basketball game. Love quickly followed. They were married and sealed in the Logan Temple on September 12, 1963. While living in Logan, Kenneth earned his Bachelor's degree in Business from Utah State University and graduated from ROTC as an officer in the US Air Force.
Kenneth had a long and successful career with the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and other civil service departments. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he flew communications and reconnaissance missions. He later led major communications projects including traveling the world developing radio and satellite systems. For his service, he received many awards, including the Air Force Commendation Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. During his time in the service, Kenneth earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from California State College, Dominguez Hills. He retired from 36 years of Federal government service in 1999 and attained the rank of Major at the end of his service in the Air Force.
Kenneth's highest priority was his family. He loved to watch his children's and grandchildren's sporting and musical events and participated as a leader in many scouting activities with his kids. He also coached his son, Chad's Junior Jazz basketball team. He always made time after a long day at work for a round of shooting hoops, playing games, and going on walks. He spent time serving in many church callings, including bishoprics and stake high councils. He was a faithful home teacher and took his sons home teaching with him. He also had many hobbies, and especially loved reading, sketching, painting, and model trains. He and Mary Ellen have lived in 21 homes in Utah, Maryland, Mississippi, and California.
Following his retirement, Kenneth enjoyed a rich life full of service and travel. He and Mary Ellen served as LDS Conference Center missionaries, as full-time missionaries in the Lubbock Texas Mission supporting young adult military personnel at Good Fellow Air Force Base, and as ordinance workers at the Ogden temple. They also enjoyed trips and cruises with their family and friends to several locations including: Alaska, Guatemala, Panama, Cancun, Samoa, and the Hawaiian islands.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep on his birthday September 28th, 2019 at the age of 79 after suffering through several challenging and debilitating illnesses. Kenneth was preceded in death by parents Dean Edward Bischoff and Marian Weeks Bischoff, sister Linda Bischoff Olsen, brother-in-law Doug Cox (husband of Ann Bischoff Cox) Sheri Bischoff (wife of Jon Bischoff), and grandson Derek Jasper. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Hale, and seven children: Jennifer Bischoff Jasper (David), Mark Edward Bischoff (Marilene), Bruce Dean Bischoff (Mia), Richard Kenneth Bischoff (Tyra), Jeremy Douglas Bischoff (Callee), Todd Andrew Bischoff (Jade), and Chad David Bischoff (JoAnna); 24 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and siblings: Anne Bischoff Cox, Jane Bischoff Austin, Ellen Bischoff Summers, and Jon Bischoff as well as beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Kenneth lived a full life, serving his country, loving his wife, children, and grandchildren deeply, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 4, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Perry Stake Center, 685 W. 2240 S., Perry, UT.
Viewings will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, UT and on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Perry Stake Center.
Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery where Military Honors will be Accorded.