Kenneth W. Kramer

Kenneth W. Kramer, PE died Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Crystal Creek Assisted Living Center in Canton, Michigan following an extended illness.� He was 70 years old.� He was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence, and sister, Marge Roth.� His brother, Robert, and sister, Mary Beu, of Chicago, survive him. Mr. Kramer epitomized the best of his generation.� He was a man of character who had a strong sense of personal and professional integrity.� He cherished his family --� Bobbie Kramer, his devoted wife of 45 years; four (4) children, Kim (Steve) Benedetti, Mark (Judy) Kramer, Mary Beth (Carlos) Najarro, and Kevin (Amanda) Kramer; and eight (8) grandchildren:� Melicce, Cassie, Alana, Marisa, Kevin, Anthony, Andrew and Mackenzie.Visitation will be from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Wednesday, September 3 and from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m., Thursday, September 4 at Vermeulen Funeral Home, 46401 West Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth, Michigan.� Mr. Kramer will lie in state at 10:00 a.m., followed by a mass at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 5, at St. John Neumann Church, 44800 Warren Road (west of Sheldon)�Canton, Michigan. Entombment follows in the afternoon at Glen Eden�Memorial�Park,�35667 West Eight Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan.The family has requested that donations be made to Covenant House of Michigan, 2959 Martin Luther King Drive, Detroit MI 48208,�or Right to Life-Lifespan of Metro Detroit, 27592 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia MI 48150.�Ken's daughter, Kim, says "my dad worked hard to make a better life for his family. He will always be my hero."� Ken's sons remember their father's lessons in good sportsmanship and fair play from times when he coached their soccer teams. Born July 7, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, Ken Kramer, attended the University of Detroit, during which time he served as a Co-op in the Detroit metro area for Chicago-based STS.� He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from U of D in 1961.� In 1964, he co-founded Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc., a thriving consulting engineering firm headquartered in Plymouth with over 200 employees and 7 regional offices in Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.� The company's success was built on performance principles communicated to employees at every turn by Ken:� ownership, responsibility, attention to detail, setting priorities, knowing what is going on, hard work, checking up, and facing the facts.� One of Ken's favorite expressions was, "Clarify and verify!"� For 40 years, Ken nurtured the careers of countless engineers, and project and business leaders as president of Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc.� He inspired respect because he treated everyone with dignity.� "Ken was at his best when someone was down on his or her luck," according to Sherri Fountain, Manager of Human Resources for SME.� "He always gave people the benefit of the doubt and quietly took care of people behind the scenes.� He was really compassionate and loyal to his employees." Although Ken enjoyed playing a round of golf every now and then, he reveled in hard work.� During his career, he managed and provided technical oversight on geotechnical engineering and materials evaluation projects in 25 states and the Bahamas including the:� Westland Shopping Center, AAA Headquarters Building and Addition in Dearborn, Chrysler's Sterling Stamping Plant and Auburn Hills Technology Center, Michigan Bell Headquarters, Detroit Renaissance Center - Phases I, II and III, Prudential Town Center, University of Michigan Additions and Renovations, and the Parklane and Fairlane Office Buildings.� An accomplished business leader, Ken served on and led committees with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), American Society of Civil Engineers, Associated General Contractors, Engineering Society of Detroit, Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, and ASFE.� He had boundless energy! Along the way, Ken earned the trust of developers, architectural/engineering firms, and community and municipal clients in Michigan.� According to Tim Mitchell, PE, SME's Regional Manager in Kalamazoo, "Ken taught me that it was more important to build a long-term client relationship than to win a single project."� Frank Henderson, PG, SME Board Member and former Director of Operations, agrees.� "Ken always told us to make sure we understood what a client wanted and to make sure we exceeded the client's expectations.� He set a great example for us all."� His legacy of excellence and generosity at SME lives on today under the leadership of his son, Mark Kramer, PE and the stewardship of many loyal, long-term SME employees.To�share a memory with the family click on the view and send Condolence Link on this page.

Kenneth W. Kramer

July 7, 1938 - August 30, 2008