Birth date: Jun 16, 1943 Death date: Feb 1, 2026
Kenneth Brooke Hinerman, II, 82, passed away on February 1, 2026. Ken was the kind of man who believed in showing up for his family, his friends, and his work. Born on June 16, 1943, and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Ken wa Read Obituary
Kathy and I met Ken in 1968. We had just moved into the same new apartment building in Newark, Delaware. I believe Ken married Audrie about 3 weeks later. She and Fluffy, their little poodle, moved in shortly there after. Immediately, we became very good friends. Ken worked for, I believe, International Nickel Company. I was starting as as a general dentist at the Wilmington, Delaware VA hospital.
My plan was to work at the hospital for two years This would make me eligible for a 3 year oral surgery residency at one of the VA Hospitals somewhere in the United States. There was no guarantee that i would be accepted as as an oral surgery resident even after 2 years of service as a general dentist.
I told Ken about my plan. Ken was an expert when it came to meeting and dealing with people. He suggested that I make an appointment to meet with the individuals who manage and administer the VA Hospital Dental Service. Their offices were in Washington DC. I decided to do as Ken recommended. I went to Washington and met with those who administered the VA Hospital Dental Service and its residency training programs. I would have never thought of doing this!
To this day, I credit Ken as being the person who gave me the keys that would unlock the door to being accepted in a 3 year oral surgery residency program. I was sent to the Milwaukee, WIsconsin VA hospital located in our home town. After completing my residency program, I set up my own very successful oral surgery practice in Milwaukee.
I have told this story to many people including Ken! Yes, I believe that Ken’s advice was the key to the door that lead me to a very successful career.
When living in Delaware, we went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean on the on Delaware shore, visited the Army tank Museum in Maryland, visited and rode on a vintage railroad train in Delaware just to name a few memories.
When visiting Ken and Audrie, In suburban Washington, DC we went to a play at the Kennedy Center, visited the Washington museums in the Mall, toured the White house and the Capitol and went to the Washington Zoo.
Later on we simply went out with Ken and Audrie to lunch or dinner at local restaurants as we passed thru on our way to visit family in Maryland and Virginia.
What great Friends; What great memories! We will miss both of them.
John and Kathy Schoonenberg
