Great-grandfather, longtime Mt. SAC professor, traveler

Much loved husband, father, grandfather, Kenneth C. Irvine died February 11 at age 87 at Mammoth Lakes Hospital. He was a cancer survivor.

He was born in Deadwood, South Dakota. his family moved to Los Angeles in his early years. Ken lived with his wife, Edyth, and raised a family in Claremont for more than 35 years before retiring and moving to Mammoth Lakes, California.

He was a professor at Mt. San Antonio College for his entire career, teaching sociology and anthropology, and served as department head several times, as well as on the academic senate. He graduated from UCLA with honors including Phi Beta Kappa and earned two master’s degrees from California State University Los Angeles and Fullerton, with coursework in a doctorate at UC Riverside.

In retirement, he led a science book club at the Mammoth Lakes Library and volunteered with his wife at the Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserve, presenting local history talks. He and his family enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest. As an empty nester, with his wife, he traveled to many countries, his favorite was England, and many of their trips started in London.

He and Edyth were married for 64 years at the time of her death two years ago.

He is survived by his daughter Karye K. Hood (Paul); son Kirk J. Irvine (Loy); grandchildren Kirk J. Irvine Jr. (Sarah), Krystle J. Irvine (Bryce Quilici), Kirby A. Irvine, and Christopher P. Hood (Rosa); and great-grandchildren Nicholas Kenneth Irvine, Paul Arturo Hood, Kevin Oscar Hood, and Andres Liam Hood. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Barbara Smith; nieces Brenda Montaine (Richard) and Bonnie Brower (Robert); great-niece Trysten Hicks (Dan); and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife Edyth, and youngest son, Kevin Andrew Irvine.

Donations in his name may be made to The Friends of Mammoth Lakes Library at  www.monocolibraries.org.

Services are planned for 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101, with internment at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont.