Dr. Kenneth Hood ED. D, a respected and accomplished educator and friend, passed away on July 14, 2023, in Burlington, VT at the age 89. Ken was a former superintendent of schools of the Washington West School District.
Ken has been an educator since he first entered the classroom as an eighth-grade science teacher and coach in 1955. The field of education was a journey that brought him extraordinary joy and numerous accomplishments throughout his lengthy career. His proudest achievement was the success of the countless educators he mentored and the innovative solutions within public education that were ahead of their time.
Ken was born in Middleton, Massachusetts, on August 16, 1933, to Howard Hood and Charlotte McIntyre Hood (New Brunswick, Canada). He was predeceased by his brother Howard (Skip) Hood of Lompoc, California, and his sister Betty Bayley of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Ken was proud to have been raised in his hometown of Ipswich, Massachusetts. The simple values of the once rural, blue collar, ocean community had an enormous influence on the person he grew up to be. Yet when asked, many of Ken’s fondest childhood memories were of their family trips up the coast of Maine to New Brunswick, Canada, to visit his mother’s family.
Fresh out of Springfield College in 1955, Ken married Kathryn Bartlett from nearby West Newbury, Massachusetts. Together they raised five children: Howard Hood, Northfield, VT, Linda Farrington, Temple, TX, Joanna Sumner, Northfield, VT, Patty Whitney, Rutland, VT, and Charlotte Randall of Winooski, VT. As Ken and Kay’s careers grew, the further north they moved from Massachusetts, to Windsor, VT, to Moretown, VT, and finally settled in Burlington, VT. Ken and Kay shared a remarkable life together, countless adventures and cherished memories spanning an amazing 52 years until Kay’s passing in 2007.
Ken was fortunate enough to find love twice and married Polly Rolland in 2014. Their shared joy for gardening, travel, and politics forged a deep friendship that was a foundation for their loving marriage. Polly’s companionship, love and support were tremendous.
Ken’s adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity for learning took him around the globe. His dedication to empowering the children and educators of Vermont blossomed into a global mission of connecting children and educators worldwide. He passionately believed that fostering an appreciation for other cultures and cultivating friendships in other countries can truly transform the world. Ken put this belief into action by hosting many Chinese and Thai children, supplying total immersion in American culture. It was obvious that Ken, Polly, and their family formed a strong and loving bond with their Thai grandchildren.
Ken will be profoundly missed by his 13 grandchildren Amanda, Ian, KC, Chris, Allie, Sam, Caleb, Jon, Emily, Wilson, Alex, Rusty, Katie, their spouses, and his 10 great-grandchildren. He enjoyed mentoring each of them in their journey through life and was proud of the adults they had become.
A memorial service will be held later in the fall.
