Kenneth “Ken” Charles Rose, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, March 1st, 2015.
He leaves his loving wife of 53 years, Sue Rose; his daughter Terri Rose; his son, Scott Rose and his wife Marika; his grandchildren Alex and Grace Nanus, and Sophia and Anna Rose; his nieces Dianne Dahlstrom, Marlene Gonsalves, Julie Cockerton; his nephew Larry Coy; and many close friends.
Born 12-11-1926 and raised in Turlock, CA, the son of Charles and Margaret Rose and brother to Howard Rose, he made Sacramento, CA home but always kept the warmth and magic of a small town in his heart. Ken always had a genuine smile for everyone he met and often turned a phrase he heard into a song.
As a youth, Ken excelled athletically and ultimately pursued his passion of playing football. He was inducted into the Turlock High’s 1944 Hall of Fame. After high school, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving as an Electrician’s Mate until being honorably discharged in 1946. After the military, Ken attended and lettered in football at Stanford University and was named an All-American end in 1949. He graduated with a BS and later returned for his MS, specializing in Physical Therapy. In 2000, Ken was inducted into the Stanford Football Hall of Fame.
After graduating, Ken moved to Sacramento to start his physical therapy practice and soon met Sue. They were married July 1st, 1961.
Ken operated Rose Physical Therapy until he retired in 1986. His 30-year career touched the lives of many with his healing hands and gentle soul.
Ken enjoyed the outdoors and some of his favorite memories included backpacking and fishing trips with his dad, brother, and long-time Turlock friends..
Ken’s retirement joys included weekly golf matches along with working in the yard on his roses and summer vegetable garden and many anticipated his annual tomato crop deliveries! Summer vacations to Mendocino and Santa Cruz were favorite destinations.
Being a humble man, Ken wished to be remembered without fanfare. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity or to the Stanford Athletic Department, 326 Galvez Street, Stanford, CA 94305 in memory of Kenneth C. Rose .
