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News & Press: In Memoriam

In Memoriam - Kenneth G. Gold

Sunday, September 24, 2023   (14 Comments)

Kenneth George Gold, 96, of Denton, Texas, passed away on September 24, 2023. Ken was loved and admired by family and friends, and he will be deeply missed.

Ken was born on October 10, 1926, in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Trinity University and the University of Houston, where he gained valuable knowledge and skills for his future endeavors.

A proud veteran, Ken served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific. After the war's end, he spent 18 months in China accepting the surrender of the Japanese. He later served in the Korean conflict, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his country.

Following his military service, Ken began his surveying career in 1944. He acquired extensive experience in both field and office operations, eventually retiring from Houston Light and Power after 30 years as Principal Surveyor and head of the Surveying and Mapping Division. Ken's expertise led him to serve as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Survcon Inc. until 1987 when he became a sole practitioner. He also served as Co-Chair and consultant to the Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi until 1989. Ken dedicated much of his time to consulting work for boundary dispute litigation and held significant positions in various surveying committees and organizations. He lectured, taught seminars, and wrote technical papers, including a column in the Texas Surveyor magazine and a surveying textbook.

Ken is survived by his two daughters, Cathy Connelly of Ponca City, OK, and Claudia McWhorter of Grapevine, TX, and his son Kenneth J. Gold of Denton, TX. He is also survived by six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Ken was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Peggye.

A service to honor and celebrate Ken's life will be held on at 2:30 PM on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, located at 12800 Westheimer Rd. Houston, TX 77077. Burial will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery. For complete service details and locations, please click here.

Ken's legacy as a devoted family man, a distinguished veteran, and a respected professional will forever be cherished. May he rest in peace.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Gold family.

 

Comments...

Deward K. Bowles says...
Posted Saturday, December 9, 2023
A legend and a friend. I will never forget you Ken.
Henry P. Mayo says...
Posted Monday, October 2, 2023
I was honored to become a friend of Ken in the past decade or so, while helping with the field camps at Dale Moore's ranch. I will never forget his personal stories of what he endured as a Marine in the Korean War. He lived a long life and positively affected many surveyors and the profession for many generations to come. Rest in peace Mr. Gold.
Paul T. Carey RPLS LSLS says...
Posted Monday, October 2, 2023
Ken Gold inspired many. I watched him, on more than one occasion, present instruction for eight hours in a single day. One occasion was after I had spent a whole day on my feet presenting to Symposium attendees, and feeling whipped, there was Ken the next day, thirty years my senior, on his feet for back-to-back sessions, without a whisper of complaint. The last time was at TAMU Survey Camp II. Ken stood up in front of a gathering of students and offered informative and interesting instruction for the entire day. Most impressive is that the only material he brought was his outline on one sheet of eight-and-a-half-by-eleven...the remaining content was right out of his very sharp mind. These will be impossible shoes to fill. We already miss you, my friend.
Hugo Seca says...
Posted Thursday, September 28, 2023
A great gentleman. The profession has lost a diamond of knowledge, professionalism and kindness. May God grant his family the strength and comfort in this difficult moment. May He Rest in Peace, Amen.
Christopher R. Bentle says...
Posted Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Having never met Mr. Gold myself, I can say I have followed his footsteps on surveys in the past. I aspire to follow his example of sharing knowledge of surveying with the breadth and depth that Ken has done over the years. Turning around and helping others who are following in our footsteps is of the upmost importance for our profession, and Ken has set the best example of how to do that, in my humble opinion. Condolences to his friends and family.
Glenn S. Breysacher says...
Posted Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Thank you for everything you've given to this profession Ken. Thank you for your service to our country. Well done. God bless you and your family.
Daniel R. Arthur says...
Posted Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Ken has forever impacted Texas Land Surveyors. It is a privilege to know and call Ken a mentor and friend. I celebrate his life and influence on so many. Thank you Ken! Ken will be forever remembered and missed!
James B. Gillis says...
Posted Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Ken is a legend. He did so much for the Surveying profession, but also for so many individual Surveyors and aspiring Surveyors. His wisdom was matched only by his generosity and sense of humor. Ken was a mentor and friend to so many. He will be sorely missed, but his contributions will live on.
J. Stan Piper says...
Posted Monday, September 25, 2023
At the 1977 Convention in Corpus Christi, I watched the discussion and approval of the first TSA Manual of Practice with Ken Gold as Chairman of the Standards Committee and President of the Association. Ken showed compassion and resolution for the membership on the General Membership Vote which passed the Standards as permissive but not required after a long-heated discussion. I had the honor of serving on both the Item Writing Committee for TBPLS and the Education Committee of TSA with Ken Gold as Chairman. We also worked together on a court case which we won. I know that I am a better surveyor today, because of the mentorship which I received from Ken Gold. I was paid a compliment by a student which passed her RPLS exam on the first try because I had taught everything on the test. I said it wasn’t hard, I just taught out of Decisions which Ken wrote. Thank You Ken for all you did for us.
Paul P. Kwan says...
Posted Monday, September 25, 2023
Ken is always unselfish to offer guidance and advice whenever I seek an independent opinion on Board matters. I will miss his conversation and laughs over the telephone.
Ronald E. Brister says...
Posted Monday, September 25, 2023
A true Texas surveying legend. The selfless effort he put into educating us all will not be forgotten. I think all Texas surveyors owes this man a Thank You.
Nedra F. Townsend says...
Posted Monday, September 25, 2023
What a great legacy this fine man left behind! I cherish all the good memories of working with him and arguing over boundaries. He will be missed!
Bill D. O'Hara says...
Posted Sunday, September 24, 2023
Ken Gold touched the careers of countless Texas land surveyors including myself. A true leader among men and one of the nicest people to know, he will live on through the guidance he provided to us in Decisions. Rest in peace amigo. You will be missed.
Henry A. Kuehlem says...
Posted Sunday, September 24, 2023
One of our greatest contributors to professional surveying education in Texas. Over the past 20 years Mr. Gold has touched the lives of so many young surveyors at the TAMUCC Field Camp II course. His contribution was greatly appreciated. We will all miss Ken!

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