Ken Abraham will be missed by many in the Outdoors community
Now that
2023 has come to an end, it left with bad news for Northern Illinois fishermen. I was stunned to learn that my friend Ken Abraham has passed away.
I’m not trying to claim Ken as an exclusive friend. Ken Abraham was truly a friend to everyone. You would be very hard pressed to find a person who would say a bad word about Kenny. He was a great guy who had a positive effect on a lot of people and a positive effect on the sport of fishing.
Bob Clark, current President of the Lake Geneva Fishing Club, was devastated by Abraham’s passing. He said: “Many of you knew Ken and what he meant to the club. But for the benefit of newer members, Ken was a multiple times past president. Among many of the contributions Ken made, perhaps the most memorable was his dedication and support of our annual Kids’ Day fishing event. Ken was able to secure thousands of dollars of contributions from his union and others to support the event over the years.”
Ken was always on hand to lend his support to any group that tried to do good things for children, for the environment, and any cause to help the sport of fishing. If you were walking down an aisle at a sport show and ran into Kenny as he was selling raffle tickets for one of the great causes he represented, I’ll guarantee you were not walking away emptyhanded. Kenny made sure that everyone bought their share of tickets.
Ken was residing in Schaumburg, when he passed away on Dec. 25 at the age of 82. Ken’s wife, Rebecca, preceded him in death and the couple had two children and three grandchildren. Ken worked as a heavy equipment operator for six decades. He was a proud Navy veteran. Ken was a cherished member of his beloved church, Our Savior’s United Methodist Church for over 50 years.
Countryside Funeral Home’s website did a great job memorializing Ken. “His incredible passion for fishing was second to the passion he had for loving and caring for friends and family. Ken was an incredible father and wonderful grandfather, lovingly referred to as ‘Papa.’ He was a handsome man, a humorous man, and a supportive man whom one could always count on. Ken had a big heart, a genuine smile, a burly yet gentle nature, and an unusually luscious head of hair until his dying day. Ken was memorable for all of these things and so many more. He will be missed by countless people.”
Ken Abraham served as the producer for the weekly radio show hosted by top pro angler Mike Norris. He handled the board and booked the guests and was an integral part of Mike’s operation for years.
If Kenny was alive to read this, I am sure he would be totally embarrassed by all the kind words. He wasn’t in it for fame or glory or recognition, he just seemed to be a guy who always did the right thing naturally.
Ken had a keen sense of humor and I always enjoyed seeing Kenny and trading barbs and wisecracks with him. I wish I could come up with something funny about Ken right now, but my heart will not allow it. I will miss Ken Abraham an awful lot and for an awfully long time. Goodbye, my friend!
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Our Savior United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.
• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.