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Kenneth R. Fortman, 94, was born on March 20, 1910 in Stockbridge, MI, the son of Floyd Fortman and Myra Williams Fortman. He is survived by his wife, Joan Fortman, of 26 years; and daughter, Theresa Gross and husband, Jack Gross of Sequim, WA. There are five surviving grandchildren: David Barber and his wife, Penny of Albuquerque; Thomas Barber of Waco, TX; Tanya Larson and her companion, Don Otto of Phoenix, AZ; Dr. Deborah Rambo and Gary Rambo and his wife, Heather all of Sequim, WA. There are four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Annetta, who died in 1977; their two sons, Gregory and Gordon; and two grandchildren. He was educated in the public schools of Michigan and received the degree of BS/EE from Tri-State University, Angola, IN. During his career he worked as a shipboard radio operator and an operator/engineer in a number of broadcast stations and police communications systems. He also helped to develop the curriculum for an electronic trade school in Detroit, wrote much of the study material, and taught classes in electronic theory and practice. Prior to his employment at Sandia National Laboratories in 1948 he was the Chief Radio Engineer for the Michigan State Police. He retired from Sandia Labs in 1973. He was a fifty-seven year member of Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, and for twenty years took part in the church's hospital visitation program. Masonic activities included a term as Master of Temple Lodge No. 6 in Albuquerque, and seven years as the Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of New Mexico. He was also active in York Rite Masonry, serving as Grand High Priest in 1977, and as the Sovereign of St. Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine. He had helped to form Albuquerque Chapter No. 67, OES in 1950 and was its Charter Patron. Services will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 1615 Copper Avenue, NE on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. Masonic graveside services will follow at Sandia Memory Gardens, 9500 San Pedro Dr., N.E. Donations may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1615 Cooper Ave., NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106 or to Masonic Charities of New Mexico, PO Box 25004, Albuquerque, NM 87125-0004. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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