Spencer, Kenneth Aldred, 1902-1960

• 1902: Born in Columbus, Kansas, January 25, son of Charles Favor and Clara Hughes Spencer.
• ca. 1908 - ca. 1920 : Preparatory education and Kansas Normal School (later Emporia State University) Emporia, Kansas and Culver (Indiana) Military Academy.
• 1925: Employed as junior engineer, Pittsburg and Midway Mining Co.
• 1926: Graduated University of Kansas, Bachelor of Science.
• 1927: Married Helen Elizabeth Foresman, January 6.
• 1936: Promoted to chief engineer, Pittsburg and Midway Mining Co.
• 1938: Promoted to general manager, Pittsburg and Midway Mining Co.
• 1940: Promoted to vice-president and treasurer, Pittsburg and Midway Mining Co. Submitted proposal to U.S. War Dept. Office Program Management, calling for development of war plants in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
• 1941: Served as president, Military Chemical Works, Inc., Baxter Springs, Kansas, a Pittsburg and Midway Mining Co. subsidiary.
• 1942: Succeeded father as president, Pittsburg and Midway Mining Co. Jayhawk Ordinance Works, Pittsburg, Kansas completed.
• 1943: Production begins at Jayhawk Ordinance plant. Appointed member of the board, Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri.
• 1946: Secures lease of Jayhawk plant and Kansas Ordinance Works, Parson, Kansas. Name of Pittsburg and Midway Mining Co. changed to Spencer Chemical Co.
• 1948: Jayhawk plant purchased by Spencer Chemical Co.
• 1949 - 1956 : Diversification and expansion of Spencer Chemical Co.
• 1951 - 1960 : Member, Business Advisory Council. U.S. Dept. of Commerce.
• 1954 - 1957 : Chairman, Board of Trustees, Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri.
• 1955: Initiated Charles F. Spencer Award, Amercian Chemical Society, in honor of his father. Recipient, Distinguished Service Award, National Association of Soil Conservation Districts.
• 1956: Recipient, Sam Casey Award, Society for the Advancement of Management.
• 1957: Recipient, Memorial Award, Chemical Market Research Association.
• 1959: Chairman of the board and chief executive officer, Spencer Chemical Co.
• 1960: Died, Miami, Florida, February, 19.

From the guide to the Papers of Kenneth Aldred Spencer, 1918-1960, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)