Dr. Kenneth E. Getschow II, Ph.D., age 78, of Erie, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021 at UPMC Hamot. He was born in Erie on February 23, 1943, son of the late Kenneth E. and Rita A. Laufenberg Getschow.

Ken was a graduate of Academy High School, class of 1960, completed his four-year degree at Penn State Main Campus and achieved his Doctorate of Education at the University of San Francisco in 1978. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a dedicated volunteer firefighter/member of the fire police for various communities in which he resided, one of which was Fairfield Hose Company. Ken spent his life as an educator. The instructional media director in Big Pine, California, Ken later became the Assistant–Superintendent there. He later transitioned and worked in the education department throughout the penal system including Albion Prison helping inmates obtain their GEDs. He also enjoyed his time serving as editor of the local Tri–Community News. Ken had a strong appreciation of the outdoors, especially when in the company of his two dogs.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Major Jeanne E. Cole, USAF retired.

He is survived by his children, Chris Getschow (Karin) and Kenneth E. Getschow III; one sister, Linda A. Hoover; one brother, Ronald E. Getschow (Sharon), three grandchildren, Carolyn, Cynthia Wang (Anrey), and Clara; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Rd., on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the Prayer Service there at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. James R.C. Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Erie Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James School, 2635 Buffalo Road, Erie, PA 16510.

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Published in Erie Times-News on Apr. 9, 2021.