Ken is best known a
s creator and founding Executive Director of Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University (1981-1992). Under Ken's leadership and guidance, Wharton Center thrived and became the centerpiece of the local arts community. Ken's unwavering love and commitment to MSU, Wharton Center and the arts were endless. His special brand of eloquence graced theatre stages in numerous capacities as Ken remained active in the area arts programs throughout his entire life.
s creator and founding Executive Director of Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University (1981-1992). Under Ken's leadership and guidance, Wharton Center thrived and became the centerpiece of the local arts community. Ken's unwavering love and commitment to MSU, Wharton Center and the arts were endless. His special brand of eloquence graced theatre stages in numerous capacities as Ken remained active in the area arts programs throughout his entire life.Ken was born October 11, 1935 in Battle Creek to Rollie and Kathryn (Eitelbus) Ochsenbein. His parents divorced when his father returned from service with the U.S. Navy in 1945. Five years later; Kathryn met and married Hugh Beachler. Together, they adopted Ken and his younger brother, Fred. Back then, he was known as Clark and is still affectionately known as "Uncle Clark" to his family.
Ken served as President of the Lansing Rotary Club, and for decades after that, arranged for music to be presented at the club by local and visiting artists. He always remained a dedicated Rotarian throughout his life, exemplifying their foundational belief that people from diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful friendships.
Another important element to Ken's life was his distinguished career in the military. The military draft influenced him at age 21 to enlist in the U.S. Army Signal Corps for a 6-year commitment with two years active duty, mostly in Karlsruhe, Germany. He was affiliated with Special Services, producing and appearing in plays and soldier shows, while serving as a chapel organist in Colorado, Georgia and Germany. He earned the rank of Captain in the Navy and proudly wore his dress whites while emceeing the July 4th concerts every summer at Adado Riverfront Park.
Ken completed a 7-year appointment as Vice Chair of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, was Interim Executive Director of Lansing Symphony Orchestra, holds the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Thomas Jefferson Award for Journalism from the Department of Defense.