Kenneth Robert Reuther, age 84 of Canadian Lakes, passed away Saturday, January 17 at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Ft. Myers Florida. He was born April 26, 1930 in Maywood, NJ the son of Edward and Mabel (Heinze) Reuther. Ken attended Rutgers University and was a graduate of General Motors Institute in Flint, MI with a degree in Engineering. He married Barbara Ann Crimmins on March 29, 1952 while she was attending the Hurley Hospital School of Nursing in Flint. Ken served in the army overseas during the Korean War as a motor pool mechanic. After his return, Ken and Barb eventually made their home in Plymouth, Michigan for 36 years and had three sons who were active in various sports and music activities. In 1952, Ken was hired by the Ford Motor Company, beginning a 41 year career with that company where he earned a reputation as a tough, hands-on, get the job done problem solver. He became the guru for heading the national launch programs of numerous car and truck lines over many years and was known as an out of the box, innovative thinker. He served as the plant manager at the Dearborn Pilot Plant, as an Executive Engineer and retired as a Chief Engineer. During his time with Ford, he forged a bond between that company and the Ferris State University School of Technology, beginning a long relationship that included serving on the Ferris Foundation, the funding of 2 scholarship funds and his being awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 1999. Ken was very active in the Canadian Lakes Community where he and Barb first bought a weekend getaway home in 1978 that they eventually occupied year round after his retirement. He cofounded the Canadian Lakes Ford Club with Bob Emerson, sponsoring an annual Golf Outing that raised tens of thousands of dollars for Mecosta County Hospital. Two years ago, at 82, he conceived, funded and oversaw a team of talented people who donated services for the construction of the Reuther Music Pavilion as a gift to the Canadian Lakes Community. In his spare time he enjoyed home improvement projects and gardening. Ken is survived by his partner and friend Avis Gerber of Canadian Lakes; 2 sons; Rick Reuther of Grand Rapids, Robert Reuther of Canadian Lakes, 1 sister; Dorothy Schafer of South Carolina, 2 nephews; John Schafer of South Carolina, and Bob Schafer of Michigan. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Tom in 1995 and wife Barbara in 2008. He will be remembered at a private service for family members this Monday and a memorial service for friends and family planned for a spring date, to be determined. Interment will be at Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids. Memorial contributions in Ken's name may be directed to the Canadian Lakes Gifts and Memorials, 10690 Pierce Road, Canadian Lakes, MI 49346. Contribution envelopes may be obtained at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home, Big Rapids.