Kenneth Charles Lenhardt

Kenneth Charles Lenhardt, one of the kindest, most generous souls to walk this earth, passed away on July 10 surrounded by his loving family. He was 80 years old.

Ken was born in 1944 in a farmhouse in New England, North Dakota, the fifth of six children born to John Lenhardt Jr. and Rose Lenhardt (née Madler). One of four boys with two sisters, Ken’s early life was shaped by the values of hard work, resilience, and love for family. As a young boy, his family moved west to Tigard, Oregon, where he spent his youth picking blackberries, working chicken farms, and taking on any job that needed doing.  

A natural athlete, Ken dedicated himself to baseball, wrestling, and football in high school. He attended Oregon Institute of Technology, where he earned his associate degree and met the love of his life, Heidi. Their marriage would span 60 years. At OIT he continued his love of football, earning multiple awards and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame.  

Ken served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam shortly after the birth of his first daughter, Kimberly. Upon returning home, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from California State University, Chico. His second daughter, Julie, was born in Portland, Oregon, and in 1978, the Lenhardt family moved back to Chico, California.

Ken was the co- owner of GDA Engineering, where he worked for 25 years and later went on to work for Martin Marietta Materials. He also became a licensed real estate broker.  He was a past member of Durham Rotary,  American Society of Civil Engineers, and Chico Equestrian Association. Ken continued his learning throughout his life taking courses in German and Spanish.  

Ken lived a life full of joy, adventure, and connection. He mentored many youths, and going to “Uncle Ken’s, or Cowboy Ken’s” house for the summer was a rite of passage. He and Heidi traveled widely. He taught his grandsons how to snow ski, ride horses, shoot, and golf. Summers at the Lenhardt Ranch were legendary, filled with swimming, volleyball games, and horseback riding.  Ken also enjoyed spending time at the family cabin at Bucks Lake; entertaining friends with epic bike rides and snipe hunts, and teaching his grandchildren how to fish.  He will be missed by his Bucks Lake “family”.  

Gregarious and social, Ken had a way of making everyone feel at ease. He was a natural storyteller, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. His generosity of spirit, warmth, and wisdom touched all who knew him.   

Ken Lenhardt leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and community. He will be profoundly missed by his wife Heidi, daughters Kimberly Title Shearer (Erik) and Julie Lenhardt Reyes (Jose), his grandsons, Tyler, Casey, and Alexi, his sister, Rosalie Shannon (Ray), and brother,  Richard Lenhardt (Karen), and countless friends whose lives were made better by knowing him.  

A graveside service will be held at Glen Oaks cemetery on September 5 at 11AM followed by a celebration of life at the Lenhardt residence.  

The Lenhardt family extends a heartfelt thank you to the caring people at Interim Healthcare and Butte Home Health & Hospice for their kindness, professionalism, and support.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Butte Home Health and Hospice, or Project Save.