Monday, July 21, 2008
In Memory of Ken
"Ken has been my friend and colleague for 35 years," said Globecomm Chairman and CEO David Hershberg. "I have never known a better or more talented person, one I will never forget. The last thing Ken said to me was to make sure I take care of the employees and the company he worked so hard to build. That was typical of the Ken Miller we all loved and respected. Ken was a pioneer in the Satcom business and a great leader who has left a wonderful heritage at Globecomm."
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42 comments:
I have long considered Ken Miller a friend and mentor in this challenging business. I know how much he meant to the team he helped build at Globecomm, and I join them in mourning the passing of a fine man.
From one Ken to another, it has been a great ride. To the man who tought me satellite communications. I will build the next Ka-Band station for you.
One word that comes to mind when I think of Ken, and that is Gentleman. He was a man of his word, always there to help without asking for credit. LISTnet and I will miss him and the LI Tech community lost a real leader.
Peter Goldsmith
The memory of Ken will remain with me always. From the years at STS, Reuters and Globecomm, Ken inspired me in many ways. He will surely be missed in this world. God blees you Ken.
I am thankful to have had the pleasure of working with such a wonderful gentleman. When I think of Ken, I immediately think of a man of honor and deserving of respect and admiration. He will be missed by all.
God Bless,
Tara Davis-Bellevue
I am very thankful to have known Ken.You were a class act. Your door was always open to us up and coming young engineers. You will be missed. May God guide you on your next journey.
One thing that amazed me about Mr. Miller was his awareness of everything that was going on with his employees. I travel quite a bit and whenever I would run across him in the lunchroom or the hallway, he would, without fail know where I was going or where I had been. Our conversations were usually initiated with a sturdy handshake and were always accompanied with that smile of his that would put a person at ease.
When he met with the company for the last time a couple of weeks ago, he told me to make sure that we took good care of a certain customer because they had been very important to GSI for a long time. I thought it was remarkable that a man could be so selfless during such a difficult time in his life.
Mr. Miller’s loyalty to his employees as well as his customers was truly admirable.
God Bless His Soul.
Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Indeed, Ken is included in this promise!
I was greeted with deep sorrow and shock when our business meeting was interrupted with the news of Ken's passing. This news spread quickly within our network of 'old school' industry veterans. It seems like I was in Hauppauge just a few months back and Ken greeted me with his usual question of "are we taking care of you?" And, or course, the response was, Yes! GSI certainly is...
Others here have written the same words and I will also. He was for sure a gentleman, gracious in nature, and selfless. He will be missed.
My prayers and condolences go to his family and friends, and my thoughts are with Dave Hershberg who has lost a longtime business partner and friend.
Robert Dunaway
Dallas, TX
I was fortunate to have Ken as my father-in-law for the past three years and to have known him for the past seven. During that time he was more like a second father to me than an in-law. His advice and wisdom in my personal and professional life had a tremendous impact on my happiness and success. He is the greatest man I have ever known and I feel privileged to be a part of his family. On behalf of Kera, Lily and myself, we were very proud to celebrate his life today with the people he cared for so very much at Globecomm.
I have known Ken for the entire span of my career. He always showed unwavering support for me on both personal and business issues. I’ve always looked to him as a role model and he inspired all of us at Globecomm to do our best by setting high goals and leading by example. The words quit, give up or fail were not part of his vocabulary. His abilities to see the big picture and his organizational skills are legendary. Ken working at 100% was like a normal person working at 500%. There are very few parts of Globecomm that Ken didn’t have involvement with and little went on here without his awareness. It was his vision that created our organizational structure. He will surely be missed but he created an organization that will sustain itself well into the future.
Scott Herschander
I was asked to put on my remarks from the funeral:
Thank you for this opportunity to say a few words about my friend Ken. I have worked with Ken since 1972, through the years ken has been my partner in forming two very successful companies. I have spent more time with him then most of my family and I always thought of him as my brother.
Ken was the most talented person I have ever known, he knew our business as well as anyone, was organized, tenacious and was respected world wide for his abilities and knowledge of the business. But what I will remember most about Ken is his humanity and his courage. In all the years I knew him I never heard him say a bad word about anyone or ever get angry. In the last few months he was an inspiration to us all, he was always upbeat and the last thing he told me was take care of the people and the company.
Ken hated confrontation , and always bought out the best in people. He would spend hours trying to convince us that a new controversial idea or change in process was needed, even when we agreed with him he would give us another half hour. Many times I had to tell him please Ken take yes for an answer. I have never met a more kindhearted or trusted person in my life.
I can not tell you all how fortunate I was knowing Ken and seeing his smiling face every morning when I came to work.
Ken not only leaves a great void at Globecomm but a bigger one in our hearts. We will never forget him.
We go on.
It is true as everyone has stated that Ken was a man of great dignity. However, I also consider him like a big brother-providing advice and mentoring in both my professional and personal life.
I am grateful that we had become much closer in recent years and his positive attitude will continue to have an impact on me for the rest of my life.
My prayers are with his family in this time of sorrow.
Twenty five years ago I got Ken's home phone from a mutual friend of my Dad's. I called him during his dinner, he didn't know me or anything about me. Needless to say he didn't hang up, but instead gave me an interview the very next day. As a young adult that aspired to be an engineer, he gave me my first chance. After that he gave me many more second chances I know. Because of him and STS I completed my degree, met my future wife, and eventually started my family. My story is quite ordinary with respect to Ken and the people in his life. Besides being one of my engineering heroes he was an understanding, thoughtful, and truly exceptional man. The world is a better place in more ways than anyone can know because of Ken.
Adam
All of us at EutelsatAmerica send our heartfelt condolences to the Globecomm community and to all family and friends. Ken was a wonderful man and true leader who will be greatly missed in the industry and by all whose lives he touched.
Ron Samuel, CEO, EutelsatAmerica Corp.
Ken was a great guy who made a tremendous impact on the satellite industry and people everywhere. He always had kind words and a smile for everyone. I ran into Ken all over the world. He was just a guy that you highly respected,trusted and enjoyed hanging out with. He truly valued his family, friends and employees above all other personal interests. We all will miss him dearly but his example and impact will remain in our mind's eye.
Yesterday's tribute to Ken was one of the most moving and heartfelt I have experienced.
One of his lovely and articulate daughters communicated the essence of Ken. He told her that one had a choice in life. One could either respond to it and cry, or respond to it and laugh. "I choose to laugh," Ken wrote to her. Amen.
In Februrary, when he was honored in Washington with the Teleport Executive of the year award, I welcomed him to the podium to make his acceptance remarks. During his acceptance speech he did not once refer to himself or use the word "I." Instead, he talked about the team at Globecomm and how they had built a world class teleport.
I will deeply miss the smile of a man who choose to laugh and the genuine humility of a man who knew that building a team meant sharing the spotlight with others.
Farewell my friend. Thank you for teaching me and for helping me idenfity the joy of work and life.
I met Ken the first time at the early GSI's days, as a customer. What a priviledge it was. I was impressed by his character and deep knowledge. Thank you Ken and God bless you.
Ashok Bhagubai
(Portugal)
Ken was a person of great integrity and compassion.
Someone wrote about Albert Enstein:
“he voraciously devoured what stood between him and originality – namely mediocrity.” And to my mind, that was Ken.
God-speed, Mr Miller.
I recall standing in Mr. Miller's Office about three years ago being interviewed for a very challenging position with Globecomm Overseas. Being fresh out of the Military, we had some casual converstaions about Military life etc.
Shortly after our conversation, Mr. Miller handed me a copy GSI's Code Of Conduct. He smiled and said this was something that he had put together through out the years to help guide the company's employees during their daily business functions. It became quite clear to me that Mr. Miller was a man of character; one who was very committed to promoting integrity in his business and personal life.
Mr. Miller was a very kind man and I will always appreciate the oppurutunity and confidence he gave me during a rather difficult assignment overseas. I still consider Globecomm as part of my familly and I am very saddened to hear of Mr. Miller's passing.
With deepest sympahties,
Thomas O'Neil
Ken has been my mentor at Globecomm for the past 6 years but Ken was much more than a Globecomm mentor to me. Ken was a father figure and I am honored to have called him my friend. His guidance on such things as diplomacy, ethics and life values has been priceless and his philosophies will live within me forever. His mantra of teamwork and positive thinking toward greater goals never wavered – even during his courageous battle with cancer. To hear this mantra being carried on, these past few days, comforts me that his legacy will not only live on but grow through all that he touched. Among many, I feel this will be his greatest achievement.
The entire team at Lavell wishes to express our sorrow for your loss.
Ken was a terrific person, pioneer, and leader in the satellite industry for whom we have great respect. We will miss his insight, his humor and his friendship.
All through the Eighties, rain or shine, blistering heat or freezing cold, Ken and I would meet at the Harborfields middle school, the school both our daughters attended. We did this most Sunday mornings for over a decade. The ritual was always the same. We would sit on a bench, share coffee from my thermos and talk about our families. We would then pause for a moment, shake our heads, smile, and without a word walk over to the blacktop courts to proceed with what an observer might mistake for some rudimentary form of tennis.
Mechanically it was much less than tennis; personally it was so much more. It was the closest two great friends -- macho engineers both -- could come to an embrace.
We all suffer hard times. I will always remember Ken Miller as the guy who would appear whenever hard times found me. There’s no truer act of friendship.
Though this is a very personal reflection, I know I speak for the entire membership of the Society of Satellite Professionals International when I say, Godspeed, old friend. You will be missed Ken Miller.
Dom Stasi
Chairman, SSPI
Ken's brother said Ken loved this country. He supported the men and women serving in the military. In November 2006 Ken attended a lunchtime affair arramged for all the GSI veterans. During the festivities, he queitly asked me how I was paying for the food. I told him of an employee donation, and that I would cover the rest. He said, "No, I'll cover the rest. You just keep the food coming."
Ken, with tears in my eyes, I want to say Thank You.
Tom O'Leary
Although I have only known You for 8 years,thank you Ken for showing us the way in many different occasions.
you will always be with us no matter what!
Yes, a lot of sorrows ,but hopes will be stronger!
Benoit Mauffrey
Without big-hearted people willing to take the first steps - and strong enough to see their project through - nothing is possible, and no value is created.
On behalf of the Board of the World Teleport Association, we mourn the passing of Ken Miller, a great business builder and an inspirer of people in our industry.
Chris Russell, Chairman World Teleport Association
Over the past 20 years, I have known Ken Miller as a customer, a vendor, and as an employee. Regardless of the relationship, I was always treated with respect and valued for my efforts.
I will miss Ken very much.
From our family...
Blessings on your life, Ken.
With love, Margaret
I was shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Ken. He was one person you could never forget. He was one of the most genuine individuals I have every met. Ken never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He respected everyone and everyone respected him.
I met Ken in the early days at STS and worked with him for seventeen years. I can still remember Ken introducing himself to me with a strong handshake and that ever persistent smile welcoming me aboard. Ken’s work ethic was second to none and much of the success of the company was due to him spending countless hours building the company. When he wasn’t working on proposals, he was engineering and overseeing the projects in house. In his “spare” time, he was still working and talking about organizational issues.
I had lost contact with Ken over the past thirteen years, but isn’t it nice to know how someone still has an impact on you. We have all been blessed to have known an individual that has touched our lives in such a positive way.
My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to his family and friends.
I have had the priviledge of knowing Ken since the '70s and above all I will always remember his way of discussing those issues that were important to him, whether job related or personal. Often with an arm around your shoulder, speaking with a sincere and measured tone, and always coupled with a deep conviction. Everyone has an opinion but Ken's were qualified and, whether you agreed or not, you had no doubt that he believed intensely in what he was saying. Always a kind and real gentleman.
I will certainly miss him and my heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and colleagues.
I have known Ken for over thirty years, in a personal as well as in a professional capacity. Everything has already been said several times by others. This shows what a superior human being Ken was. To me, he was friendly, warm, fair, and at the same time a levelheaded and decisive businessman. Ken was a truen "mensch", and he's leaving a void behind.
Friends, I have just learned of Kens passing and wanted to echo the common expressions of selfless generosity and trustworthiness that Ken made us all see in him.
A great man that was a trusted partner to me and my company, my customers and my employees. Ken and Dave are the industry leaders that I have always turned to when I needed the impossible to be possible and when a handshake or my word was all that I could offer.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have known Ken. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Otto
I was out of town and was shocked to hear of the passing of Ken. Like my colleagues, we all looked to Ken for support on our projects - which he was happy to always take time and give guidance on.
I still consider Globecomm as part of my extended familly and I am very saddened to hear of Kens' passing.
My deepest sympahties to his family and co-workers,
Glenn Birkel
Ken,
You have been a wonderful friend and business colleague for so many years. I cannot count the number of dinners, lunches, meetings-business and otherwise we have shared. Be with the angels. We all miss you so much.
Jerry
When I last spoke to Ken I wish I'd known it was going to be for the last time. Oh well, we talked about Globecomm, I guess that's what he would have chosen as his preferred topic. Farewell Ken. Thanks for keeping the faith, I'm sure you're still checking your emails somewhere up there. My deepest sympathies to your family.
The death of my husband caused devastating feeling of loss and sorrow.I do not know how I can go on without this person so important to my own life.He had been many things to me:husband,such a good friend,my best adviser.He was my "rock".I liked him as much as I loved him.My best friend was gone when I needed him most.
I would like to thank everyone for support in a most difficult time in my life.
Sorry to hear about Ken, I worked with Ken when he was a young engineer helping me build the COMSAT Roaring Creek earth station in early 1980s. We spent many months together working in Bloomsburg, PA and when it was over I had a new friend whose dedication to the job was remarkable.
I vividely remember my relationship building with Ken at STS as I was working on the 10 city domestic satellite network in Thailand. One of the first large scale turn key Voice networks accomplished at STS and Ken was nervous. One afternoon Ken whispered; "Joe, is this DCME stuff going to work?" I replied; "Ken, Don't worry, It's going to work just fine." Ken will be dearly missed and I'll never forget him...he was truly a statesman and a kind down to earth man. May he rest in peace.
Joe Mucerino
The loss of a man so supportive and endearing... He was blessed with the love of his friends and family, and this was the source of his strength, loyalty and dedication. It's easy to understand why so many of us still reflect on times with Ken Miller.
When first hearing of Ken’s passing, I remember staring at the screen and the note passed along from an industry friend in disbelief. Ken was a long standing, ever present “touchstone” within our satcom family. I remember being a 20 something, now some 20 years ago at then GTE Spacenet working with Ken at STS. The opportunity was supporting a US Army program which later became the very comsatcom backbone even today for the US DoD. That was how Ken was, always in the background, making the big plays that in retrospect impacted God only knows how many lives of our US Military around the world. When I saw Ken last at Sat2008, I wish I had known that was going to be the last time I would see him. Another valuable lesson to not take anything for granted. He will be missed and remembered.
Leslie Blaker
Nothing is as good as hearing what other people have to say about a noble man. Although I have no opportunity of meeting Ken, I am trilled with what other people have said.
My source of information came through Globecom and I thank God for the little I am able to know. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Idogho Emmanuel
Oliet International Associates Ltd.
World Teleport Association will be observing Ken's passing at this year's Teleport Awards for Excellence Luncheon on March 25 in Washington, DC. Ken was the 2008 Teleport Executive of the Year.
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