Obituary of Kenneth Line

Kim was born on December 26, 1936 in Southgate, California to Kenneth Eugene Line and Dorothy Jean (Baird) Line. He passed unexpectedly on December 14, 2019. He was surrounded at passing by many of his loved ones. Our hearts are broken, and our lives are shattered. Our only consolation is that we loved him, he loved all of us, and he led an amazing life. He was known by many names: My Love, Brother, Dad, Pop, Papa, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Superman, Guru, Uncle, Cousin and Friend. Kim graduated from Downey High School and received a two-year Associates Degree from Long Beach City College. He was an active and very accomplished athlete and would have moved on with athletic scholarships, but a broken knee ended those dreams. He never quit learning and took many classes on many subjects. The internet became his friend, so many interests that he could easily research. One of his greatest accomplishments was getting his pilots’ license to fly twin engine planes. He could build or fix most anything. One of our family mottoes was “If Papa can’t fix it, no one can”. Fishing and hunting were things he truly loved to do. At age 70, after a hard and arduous trip to Hong Kong, he walked in and said, “I quit, I am going fishing”. He purchased a pontoon boat and Kokanee at Detroit Lake had no chance of survival. He hunted deer and elk at the same spot in Ukiah, OR. for 40+ years. He was an excellent and most successful hunter. His office wall is covered with photos of his elk, deer, sons, daughters and grandchildren. It thrilled him every year when so many of the family showed up at camp. Everyone that hunted in that area knew where he camped because he put up 100’s of Christmas lights each year. Kim spent much of his working career between 1970 and 2000 working for the Gelco Companies in Salem, Oregon. He quickly advanced from Equipment Manager to Operations Supervisor responsible for more than 200 employees working throughout the Western United States and into the Pacific. He also coordinated activities with partner organizations in Canada and Europe while inventing equipment and processes which are now employed by companies around the world. Kim was a recognized expert and innovator in several areas of Trenchless Technology employed in the repair of sewer, water, gas and other piping systems. One of his greatest achievements was his development and then implementation of a method to repair pipelines in the Alyeska Pipeline Company’s Valdez, Alaska facility. Kim was recognized for the integrity of his leadership and skills in both engineering and management. Kim really enjoyed teaching and mentoring the younger generation in the different trenchless processes and in helping them grow to where they were running their own jobs and teaching others. Helping them grow, not only in business, but personal growth as well, gave him great satisfaction and joy. He made many lifelong friends and was respected and admired by all in his industry. Kim was a member of the Keizer Elks and Salem Eagles. A big thanks to all our friends that we danced with for over 30 years. Thanks also to our friends from North and South High Schools. They welcomed him with open arms and made him feel so much a part of Their lives. Kim is survived by his wife Yvonne, sister Joan Radoumis, son Randy Line, son Scott line, daughter Kari Patterson, son Jeff Line, daughter Jodi Line, son Robert Gillaspie (Susan), daughter Susan Salleng(Neal), daughter Jennifer Hand-Stutrud (Curt), fourteen grandchildren (Brenton, Eric, Chad, R.C., Denver, Austin, David, Kaili, Keona, Bethany, James, Alicia, Sarena, Cole) seven great grandchildren (Danielle, Emma, Sylvia, Haiden, Harper, Sage and Will), cousins and three nieces. We would like to thank the firemen, EMT’s, everyone in the emergency room and ICU. They were so caring, so affectionate, and honest. Thanks also to Dr. Maurice Collada for his compassion and honesty about what we were facing Again, honoring Kim’s wishes, we will have a Celebration of Life in the spring for all His family and friends. THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO LOVED HIM. Most fathers begin their relationship with their children at birth and grow from that point forward. When I was 20, Kim became my Dad. He always accepted me for who I was, and in time you wouldn’t have known he hadn’t been my father since birth. He was a teacher, a mentor and a friend. He helped me become the man I am, just by his example. I would not have become the husband and father that I am without him. He was always there when I needed help; we had great times hunting and fishing, working together in our professional world and working on projects in our personal lives. He was my best friend and he was my Dad. I will always love you Pop. Love, Bob