Kenneth Ambrose Tabler

Kenneth A. Tabler, age 98, of Naples, Florida, passed away on July 25, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry J. Tabler and Pauline W. (Ambrose) Tabler. He was married to Patricia Webster of Chicago, Illinois, from 1950 until her death in 1987. In 1993 he married Carol Burek, who also preceded him in death in 2008.

Kenneth grew up on a small farm in West Virginia. He graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master of Science in Dairy Science. He earned a PhD from the University of Illinois in Dairy Genetics while working as a research scientist for USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). This involved using the Illiac, one of the earliest computers (late 1940’s).

Kenneth continued his career at the USDA Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland, as a statistician and computer specialist. He later served as a mathematical statistician with the National Center for Education Statistics in Washington, DC.

After retiring, Kenneth moved to Keedysville, Maryland, then to Ft. Myers, Florida, where he lived for 30 years. Five years prior to his death he moved to Naples.

Among his many and varied interests, Kenneth was involved with Toastmasters, Int.; Maryland State Beekeepers; Master Gardeners; Sons of the American Revolution; Freemasonry; Friendship Force (international travel); several Protestant churches and Bible study groups. He did in-depth research for three books (written by his son David) and for a court case that he eventually won. In his autobiography, “The Day is Far Spent”, Kenneth shared what it was like growing up in the Depression Era, how important education was for him, and his appreciation for the people and opportunities God brought into his life.

Kenneth is survived by his sons, David and Mark (Sharon), and his daughters, Bonnie (Edmond) French and Roberta (Lloyd) Miller; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grand children; five nieces, Robin Golem, Laura Grenig, Elaine Moreno, Jill Walterbach, Judy Kamholz, and two nephews, Ronald Golem and Brian Golem; and two step-daughters, Lynne Smith and Mary Cardinale. (His sister, Kitty Golem, died October 14, 2024.)

Kenneth’s warm smile and friendly, generous soul will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorial contributions to honor Kenneth may be made in his name to any educational institution of your choice including these that he supported: the University of Illinois, West Virginia University, Hillsdale College, Forcey Christian School (Silver Spring, Maryland) and Heritage Christian School (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)