Kenneth H. Gutner

Kenneth H. Gutner, 89, passed away peacefully in the home he shared with his wife of 11 years, Joan Beermann Gutner in Scottsdale, AZ on October 22nd, 2016. Kenneth was born October 15, 1927 to Jack and Goldye Gutner in Chicago, Ill and was a brother and best friend to the late Robert Gutner who was eight years younger than him. Kenneth graduated Sullivan High School in 1945 and attended the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana where he studied engineering and then Northwestern University where he studied business and marketing and taught marketing as an adjunct faculty member. He served as a member of the U.S. Navy from 1945-1947 where he did submarine duty. In 1952, he married the late Lynette Nelson of St. Louis, MO. and with whom he raised three daughters, Kim, Lisa and Toddi in Highland Park, Illinois.

In 1956, Kenneth founded and built Kenlin Enterprises (named for his name and his wife Lynette), a specialty furniture hardware designing and manufacturing company, which held several patents., In the 1980’s and after retirement, Ken could be found skiing, biking or hiking in and around the mountains in his beloved Aspen where he lived with Lynette until her passing in 1995. He married Joan Beermann in 2005 and the two of them lived between their homes in Aspen and Scottsdale and traveled the world together. Ken loved to travel, classical music, Broadway shows, an exciting “shoot em up” movie, and a good party.

Ken leaves loving memories in those who survive him: his three daughters, Kim Gutner, Lisa Gutner and Toddi Gutner Block, his son-in-law Neil Block, his four grandchildren, Alyssa and Carly Gutner-Davis and Lee and Cameron Block, and his second wife Joan Beermann Gutner and her family in Chicago, Telluride and Scottsdale.

Ken will always be remembered with great joy, love and laughter.

Please join us for Ken’s memorial service at the Aspen Chapel Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 11am then for afternoon shiva at Ken’s home at 0145 Nighthawk Drive on Red Mountain in Aspen.