It is with regret that we report the death of
KENNETH A. BIHLER, class of m1952, on January 31, 2009 at San Clemente, CA after a long battle with cancer. Ken was an engine graduate and participated in many sports while at the college, excelling in boxing to the dismay of his opponents.
After graduation, Ken spent nine years working for Aramco in Saudi Arabia that was interrupted by two years of naval duty in 1957 and 1958. Back in the U.S., Ken worked on assignments with several companies and then spent 20 years with the Fluor Corporation as a project engineer until retirement. Flying was always his passion and he received his pilot's license in 1968. Over the years, he owned and flew numerous different aircraft accumulating over 4,000 hours of flight time. Ken later taught aircraft and power plant mechanics at Long Beach City College for 16 years.
During his third class year at the college, Ken received a letter of Commendation for Heroic Services from VADM Herbert Leary, USN (Ret.), the college president, for his actions in saving the lives of two people from a flaming car that was on its side after a collision. No one at the scene took his name however a witness recognized his uniform and wrote a letter of appreciation to the college.
As per his wishes, his ashes were buried at sea off of the California coast. He is survived by a fiance, a son and a daughter.
John H. Ingraham
Secretary, Class of '52
FMSAA