Kenneth W. McMaster (1919-2008)

MCMASTER

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 11/16/2008 at 15:58:41

Kenneth Walter McMASTER, age 89 of Atascadero, CA passed away Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Atascadero. Cards may be sent to his wife Dorothy at 1244 Camino Del Roble, Atascadero, CA 93422.
He was born in Hancock, IA to Walter and Edith McMASTER on December 23, 1918. He was the middle child in a family of five children.
He attended all 12 grades of school in Hancock. Sports were his passion – especially baseball and basketball. He was the pitcher, his brother was the catcher, on the high school team. After graduation he played with the Sioux Falls Canaries for a short while.
He and Dorothy LYONS exchanged wedding vows in Rockport, MO on April 28, 1941. Their address then was Emerson, IA. When World War II came along he enlisted in the Army Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. While in the service he pitched for the Marana Air Force Base baseball team near Tuscon, AZ. He transferred to the Army Air Force Base in Kansas. While pitching for the Pratt Army Air Force base he was scouted by George SISLER of the Brooklyn Dodges. He was honorably discharged November 26, 1945 and returned to Emerson. He1946 he went to Sanford, FL for spring training with the Brooklyn Dodgers but due to an arm injury he was unable to continue a baseball career.
Using the GI Bill, he attended college from 1949 until 1955 when he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and went into a teaching career.
In 1958 the family was moved to Atascadero, where both he and Dorothy resume their teaching. Retirement from Atascadero Unified School District came after 17 years of teaching. After retiring from teaching, he managed mobile home parks in Atascadero for 24 years.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife of over 67 years, Dorothy; son Darryll and wife Nancy of Bakersfield, CA; daughter Ronda and husband Ron GILMAN of Lincoln, CA; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Avoca, IA "Journal-Herald" 16 October 2008, p.4