Made tremendous contributions to NASA
Published April 29, 2021
NORTH READING — Kenneth Kido, 89, of North Reading, died on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Bear Hill Nursing Home in Stoneham.
Born in Los Angeles, California on October 23, 1931, he was the son of the late Toshio and Sarah Kido. He lived in Los Angeles until he and his family were moved to the Poston Arizona Internment Camp for Japanese Americans during World War II. After the war, the family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. He was drafted by the U.S. Army, and served overseas during the Korean War during which he received two Bronze Stars.
After he returned from the war, he attended University of Missouri and studied electrical engineering. He worked as an electrical engineer in the aerospace industry. He worked for AC Spark Plug, General Motors, MIT Instrumentation Lab, and Draper Lab.
He was an avid golfer, enthusiast of Boston sports teams and enjoyed playing bridge. He also played in a bowling league for many years. He loved to watch his children play sports; his daughter Tami playing soccer and basketball and his son Chris playing soccer and hockey. He had been a resident of North Reading since 1968.
Ken overcame incredible hardships after spending several years of his childhood in the WWII Japanese Internment camps and spending several years overseas in the Army during the Korean War. He was incredibly smart and made tremendous contributions to NASA through his work at MIT Instrumentation Lab and Draper Lab, where he worked on the guidance systems for the Apollo program and Space Shuttle program for over 25 years.
Family members include his son, Christopher Kido, his daughter, Tamiko Kido; his late sister, Jean Yaeko Marshall; four grandchildren, Addison Kido, Andrew Kido, Maiya Levine and Samantha Levine. He was the former husband of Susan Burton (Ulson).
Graveside services were held on Wednesday April 28 at 1 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. To write a message of condolence please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
