GUILDERLAND — Kenneth E. Teetsel was, above all else, a dedicated family man, his family wrote in a tribute. An Air Force mechanic, he had a career as a mechanical technician and was devoted to the Lynnwood Reformed Church.

He died peacefully at his Guilderland home with family reading to him on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. He was 90.

Born Dec. 17, 1929, the son of the late Earl and Katherine Teetsel, Mr. Tetsel grew up in Catskill, New York with his sister, Florence.

He graduated with an associate’s degree from the State University of New York at Canton, where he met the love of his life, Mary Louise Rumsey. The two were married on July 12, 1952 and started their life together in Louisiana.

Mr. Teetsel served in the United States Air Force as a mechanic on B-29 and B-47 aircraft. Following his time in the Air Force, he worked as a mechanical technician in the Capital District until his retirement in 1992.

He dedicated 60 years of his life to the Lynnwood Reformed Church, serving as deacon, elder, and choir member, and serving on various other committees. Mr. Teetsel was delivering Meals on Wheels into his 90th year.

“Ken loved sports, particularly golf and bowling,” his family wrote. “The family spent many summers traveling and camping together. In 1996, Ken and Mary Lou took the trip of a lifetime, driving up the Alcan Highway to Alaska.”

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Kenneth E. Teetsel is survived by his five children; Dianne Manning and her husband, Lou; Carolyn Hasper and her husband, Everett; David Teetsel; Judy Moore and her husband, T.R.; and Janette Teetsel.

He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren; Aaron (Christy), Jill, Joel (Natalie), Rebekah, Zachary, Kelsey, Hattie, Rhiannon, Alex, Griffin, Max, Louie (Patrycja), along with his eight great-grandchildren; Makena, Morgan, Chandler, Nayelli, Ameera, Mason, Natalie, and Wesley.

His wife, Mary Lou, died before him, as did his daughter Kathleen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lynnwood Reformed Church at 3714 Carman Road in Guilderland on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 1 p.m.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to Donatelife.net.

“The family understands that not all who wish to commemorate Ken will be able to attend his service. They ask that you perform a Random Act of Kindness as a way to honor Ken,” his family wrote. “Those who would like to share their act of kindness or memory of Ken may do so on his ‘Share a Memory’ page at Fredendallfuneralhome.com.”