Obituary of Kenneth Magdziuk

Kenneth Vincent Magdziuk

June 1, 1938 - June 5, 2023

 

Born in Syracuse, Kenneth Vincent Magdziuk, 85, was one of three children and grew up on Wilkinson Street with his "infamous" Fraser Park band of friends. 

 

Ken graduated from Vocational Blogett High School with the Class of 1956. He entered the U.S. Army in 1962, attending the Officer Candidate School, and years later was Honorably Discharged as 1st Lieutenant in the 1st Armor Division.

 

In 1970, Ken graduated from Syracuse University and the College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He worked for the Timmons Group, in Virginia, before accepting a Land Planner position in Melbourne, Australia, where he would remain for two years, creating lifelong friendships and memories.

 

Ken then accepted an offer with an American firm to be based in Saudi Arabia where he designed and supervised the construction of Asir National Park, the first Saudi national park. He moved on to an opportunity in the United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman, as Land Affairs and Planning Director, where he was in charge of the design and layout of a new modern city in the desert.

 

Following completion of the UAE project, Ken attended Oxford Polytechnic University in England, where he earned an advanced degree in Land Planning. He then returned to work at Timmons, in Richmond, until he established KVM Design Associates where he remained until retirement. Although his friends laughed at his decision to move back north (instead of going south), Ken chose to return to Syracuse (Baldwinsville) to spend his days with family and his many lifelong friends. 

 

It was easy for Ken to make friends with his truly caring demeanor and welcoming personality. He was always the first to greet a stranger with a smile and a warm hello. Because of this, Ken has friends around the world who may forever remember him as a smart, sentimental, selfless man who put other people’s happiness and comfort first. His great sense of humor will not be forgotten.

 

A few of Ken's favorite places have naturally helped turn into a few of his favorite travel stories which he loved to share with family, friends and even strangers. From his teenage years hitchhiking from Syracuse to Niagara Falls with his friends, to his favorite trips exploring the Pacific Northwest and the redwood forests, to Borneo, Germany, the Netherlands, Ken was at home wherever he went, and forever in awe of the beauty of nature. His visits back to Syracuse were punctuated with a stop in Skaneateles, one of his favorite spots to come home to, even after he had seen so many faraway places. He traveled to 43 countries in his lifetime.

 

Ken filled his days reading, studying history, researching his coin collections, creating art and gardening. You could always find him with his "Kirby's Krew" on Wednesdays enjoying many laughs with friends. An animal lover, Ken was guardian to many special dogs and cats throughout his life.

 

He was predeceased by his parents, Alfonse and Rose Magdziuk; brother, Carl Magdziuk of Camillus; partner, Kathy Parks Kent of Columbia, VA; and his dog, "Buff". 

 

Ken is survived by his son, Dr. Constantin Stautner (Dr. Petra) of Munich, Germany; sister, Ellen Cunningham of Lakeland; nephew Carl Magdziuk (Holly) of Baldwinsville; and niece Amy Ruhle (Josh) of Exeter, Rhode Island; and his nephews, great nephew and great nieces.

 

A creative soul with a youthful and joyful exhuberance until the end, Ken will be missed by so many.

 

The family will hold a private celebration with close friends.

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