Kenneth R. Fechter
January 12, 1926 - April 14, 2023
Kenneth R. Fechter, age 97, passed away peacefully at home on April 14, 2023. He was born Jan 12, 1926 in North Mankato, MN to Fred and Irene Fechter. Drafted at 18, he joined the US Navy and was deployed to Sicily on an LST to support Patton's move from Africa to Italy. Returned to Mankato and with the help of the Gl Bill, graduated from Mankato State in 1949 with a BS degree in Teaching. He married Delores Folkestad on March 10, 1951. He earned a Masters Degree in Education from Colorado A&M (now CSU) in 1954 and taught in the public school system. He went to work for Sperry Rand (now Unisys) in 1957 and helped develop some of the first vacuum tube computers (UNIVAC). Ken and Delores then transferred to SLC in 1969. That same year he worked as a double agent for the FBI. His mission was to help expose Russian spies trying to obtain classified defense secrets related to ICBM guidance systems and give them bogus information. Ken and Delores loved SLC and Ken became an avid skier. He retired in 1989. He really enjoyed the fact that he had matured enough to receive free season passes to Alta and skiing with the Wild Old Bunch.
An enthusiastic Ham Radio operator he loved making contact with fellow operators around the globe. He was a longtime member of the Sports Mall; he played racquetball and loved to get a good sweat going in the steam room. He really enjoyed talking to his friends there and the lunches they would have at the Point After. A very special thanks to Windy. A devout imbiber, happy hour started promptly at 4:30.
Preceded in death by his wife Delores, daughter Susan and his four siblings Survived by sons Ronald (Gloria) SLC, Richard (Kimberly) San Rafael, CA. Grandchildren, Brett (Eileen) Tara, Alex, Tim (Seanna), John, Juliette. Great-grandchildren Carli and Dean.
An open house to honor Ken’s life will be on Sunday, May 21 from 4-8 PM at his home, 4170 Jupiter Drive, Millcreek, Utah. Attire is casual.
In Loving Memory
I worked with Ken at Sperry/Unisys. He was a witty and upbeat person. He had the ability to make people laugh and smile at just the right times. I'd like to say thanks to him for his service and may he rest in peace.
I first met Delores at Mt. Dell and then met Ken on a trip to Wendover. After Delores passed away Ken was always one of our Wendover group of about six.We celebrated several of his birthdays there including his 90th. He never missed a beat at the blackjack table The cocktail parties in his room at 4:30 were ledgendary..We could always count on his wonderful shrimp,nuts,chips, dips and plenty of liquid refreshment.He knew what we all liked to drink and had it there.He always made lots of popcorn for our super bowl parties and supplied us all with tomatoes in the summer I have so many good memories of time spent with him. He was a great guy that will certainly be missed Rest in peace Ken
In Loving Memory
