Kenneth H. Abbott of Concord, Massachusetts died peacefully at his home on November 17, 2017. Ken was born October 17, 1924 in Hale, Maine, the only son of Clarence C. and Betsy M. (Ross) Abbott.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his first wife Irene (Shurtleff) Abbott, and sister Cleora Milligan.

He is survived by his loving family: wife Astrid V. (Trudie) Abbott; son Jeffrey, and daughter-in-law Elena Abbott of University Place, Washington; grandson Samuel Abbott also of University Place; sister Frieda Roy of Hamden, Maine, and many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Ken grew up in Rumford, Maine and graduated from Stephens High School. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America he was proud to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He served as an Air Force flight officer in the Pacific Theater during WWII. A grateful recipient of the GI Bill, he graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in Engineering Physics.

Ken had a distinguished career as an Armor Program Manager for the US government at the Army Materials Research Center at the Watertown Arsenal in Massachusetts. As the United States' leading authority on armored materials, he was in charge of research and development of armor protective materials for the United States Army. After President Kennedy's assassination, he designed and coordinated the production of the first armored Presidential limousine, presented to President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

After retiring in 1980, he and Trudie traveled extensively, playing golf at courses throughout Europe and the United States. Their favorite courses were Royal Dornoch in Ardgay, Scotland and Sugarloaf in Stratton, Maine.

He was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Savior in Bedford, Massachusetts, and a regular volunteer for many years at the Central Food Ministry in Lowell, Massachusetts.

A skilled craftsman, Ken loved woodworking and created hundreds of treasures for friends and family. He was well-known for his beautiful hand carved clocks and jewelry boxes, cribbage boards, cradles, toast tongs, and stamp dispensers. The smaller items showed his love of wood coupled with his frugal nature, as they were often fashioned of salvaged materials from larger projects, meticulously joined and finished.

Love of his family was a central part of Ken's life, from caring for his first wife Irene, raising his son Jeff, marrying Trudie and enjoying the past 34 happy years together. He proudly followed the accomplishments of his grandson Sammy, most recently as Sammy was drafted by the MLB (even though it was by the Chicago White Sox rather than his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox.)

Memories of Ken's wisdom, humor, and generosity will be cherished by all who were privileged to know and to love him.

Visitation will be held at the Bedford Funeral Home on Tuesday, Nov. 21, from 10:30 A.M.to 12:30 P.M. His funeral service will follow the visitation at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.