Kenneth Eugene Case

We are sharing the passing of Ken Case, loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a friend, teacher, engineer, ham radio operator (K5KC), scouter, fraternity brother and more. Ken was born on August 12th, 1944, in Oak Ridge, TN to Richard and Vera Case, and passed on December 4th, 2024, in Houston, TX. Ken met his future wife, Lynn Curlee, when he was a Senior at Tulsa Edison High School. They married in January 1966 while both were still in college at Oklahoma State University (OSU). He received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and his Master's and Doctoral degrees in Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM), all from OSU. After completing his Ph.D., Ken and Lynn moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, where he taught at Virginia Tech for five years. In 1975, they returned to Stillwater where Ken joined the faculty of IEM in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT). He served as Department Head for three years, but his true passion was teaching and mentoring. He was loved by his students and continued to stay in contact with many worldwide. He took great pleasure in their significant accomplishments. Ken envisioned and developed OSU's Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management degree program, a novel fully online program geared for working engineers. In addition to teaching and research, he consulted extensively. He was a Fellow and served as president of both the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and the American Society for Quality (ASQ), receiving the highest recognitions from each. Ken was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, one of only three from OSU and 21 from Oklahoma. He was also an active Academician Emeritus in the International Academy for Quality, a worldwide group limited to 100 quality experts, and he served on the Panel of Judges for the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award. Ken was named the Outstanding Engineer in Oklahoma, held five ASQ certifications and is a Six Sigma Black Belt. He received the Quality Oklahoma Award and the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in College/University Teaching from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. He received the Melvin R. Lohmann Medal from CEAT and was inducted into the CEAT Hall of Fame. Ken retired as Professor Emeritus from OSU in 2005, but continued consulting and stayed actively engaged with both the OSU community and industry. In August 2024, Ken retired from the Board of Directors of Webco Industries after serving for over 29 years. He considered his time with Webco as a career highlight and was honored to serve in an organization that mirrored what he valued: quality, character, work ethic, teamwork, preparation, innovation and strength. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Vera Case, and his brother Robert Case. Ken left a legacy of character and a lifetime of memories with his family: his wife Lynn; daughter, Kristin Case (Nancy O'Neil), granddaughter Kaelyn; son, David (Tamera), and grandchildren, Rex, Savanna, and Frances. Celebration of Life will be held 2pm, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at University Heights Baptist Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma. The service will be live streamed: https://www.youtube.com/@uheights8892/streams

Kenneth Eugene Case

August 12, 1944 - December 4, 2024