Kenneth Ault, Class of 1951

Kenneth Ault ’51 died Feb. 22, 2020 at age 91 years. ‘Kacy’ was born to Kenneth Edmond and Beatrice Lucinda Ault in Pontiac, Michigan. He attended school in New Albany, Johnstown, and Sunbury Ohio, graduating from Sunbury High School with the class of 1946. He was an outstanding athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track. As a distance runner, he was undefeated in the District Championship his junior and senior years, running the mile in 4 minutes 30 seconds on a cinder track. He was offered a football scholarship to Miami University of Ohio, coached by the now legendary Sid Gilman. He attended Otterbein College where he met his wife, Lee Ellen Lydick ’52.

Kacy graduated from Ohio State University summa cum laude with a BS in Business Administration, majoring in Industrial Engineering. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Fraternity and holds a Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key. Employment began with Westinghouse Electric Company who was building a new plant in Columbus. He played an instrumental role in plant layout and time studies for the new facility.
Kacy found employment with Nationwide Insurance Company at their National Headquarters in Columbus. He worked there as a Salary Administration Specialist. Desiring to return to manufacturing, in summer of 1961 he accepted a position in Wage Administration with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. His employment with Lockheed Georgia- now Lockheed-Martin- began in August of the same year. He worked at their Lockheed- Georgia facility in Wage Administration as Hourly Wage Specialist. He was deeply involved in contract negotiations, and was well-liked by union and management for his work ethic. He retired from Lockheed in 1990, happy to have time outdoors and enjoy the neighborhood. Running and/or bicycling was an important part of his day. He was often seen riding six to ten miles from home to keep an appointment or to shop. Weather permitting, he rode his bike daily.
Kenneth Charles is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Edmond, mother Beatrice Lucinda Ault, and stepmother Patricia Ault. He was also predeceased by several uncles and aunts. Survived by his wife Lee Ellen Lydick Ault ’52; daughter Virginia Lee (C. Steven) Evans; brother Roy E. Ault (Sherrie); sister, Merilee Konich (Len); step-sisters, Vickie Robinson; Sue Ann Harrison; granddaughters- Dr. Robin L Casey (Joseph Clancy); Melissa Rice Noble (Rear Admiral J. Douglas); seven great grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.