Kenneth Richard Kerckhoff

Kenneth Richard Kerckhoff, 82, of Venice, FL, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026. Ken was born in Miami, Florida, September 29, 1943, to Elmer and Mary Kerckhoff, when his dad served in the US Coast Guard during WWII. The family moved back to St. Louis in 1945, and Ken grew up on the 70-acre farm known as Elm Farm, a former fox hunt and polo estate.

Ken graduated from the Community School, John Burroughs School and Westminster College. He belonged to the Sigma Chi Fraternity and took his Navy reserve commission after graduating. He spent his college summers at US Navy Boot Camp and Officer Candidate School.

Ken married Nancy Steiner in college in 1964 and fathered 3 children: Laura, Andrew, and Melinda. Ken and Nancy were divorced in 1980.

Ken served aboard the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier off Vietnam during 2 deployments, earning the Navy Unit Commendation for each deployment. He then served as an Officer Programs Recruiting Officer in St. Louis from 1968-1969. Upon separation from the Navy, he joined the family company, Pevely Dairy, alongside his father who passed away in 1970. He then became a director, corporate secretary, and sanitation compliance officer for the company until his retirement in 1982.

Ken married Maggie in 1980, and she and Ken moved to Casey Key, FL, with Ken’s mother, Mary in 1999. They later moved to the Island of Venice. Ken and Maggie volunteered for over 10 years with the Child Protective Services and with Meals on Wheels in Venice. Ken and Maggie traveled extensively over the years to Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Alaska, Canada, and all around the US. They loved riding horses in Colorado, Wyoming, and North Carolina. Maggie is the love of Ken’s life, and he prayed for their union to be eternal.

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Margaret “Maggie” Kerckhoff and his three children, Melinda Kerckhoff Sims (Kyle), Andrew Frederick Kerckhoff (Julie) and Laura Marie Smith (Jay), seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

In Ken’s memory, donations may be made to the Child Protection Center, 720 S. Orange Ave, Sarasota, Florida 34236

Sarasota, FL 34236. A memorial service will be held for friends and family at Farley Funeral Home on Sunday August 23, 2026, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm. Interment will be later with family at Sarasota National Cemetery. To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.