Kenneth Lester Vaux was called to the Lord on June 28, 2024. He spent the best parts of his life with his wife and partner Dr. Sara Anson Vaux, mother of his five children, editor of all his books, and in many cases, co-author. Kenny, as he was known, was born January 8, 1939 to Lois (Shoup) Vaux and Howard Kenneth Vaux, in Greensburg, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. The eldest child of 4, Kenny was often found in the forest, at the swimming hole, playing basketball or baseball, or planting homemade pipe bombs in his grandparents' outhouse in Western Pennsylvania. His life is best characterized by serving others through ministry, social justice, end of life care and concern through his work in Bioethics and later Theological Ethics. Ken was class of '56 from Sewanhaka High School on Long Island, got his BA in Philosophy in 1960at Muskingum College in Ohio, and attended Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in1963 with his Masters in Divinity. He went on to pursue his Doctorate of Theology from the University of Hamburg, Germany 1966-69, under the mentorship of Dr. Helmut Thielicke. Ken and Sara together were fierce advocates for social justice and sought to find peaceful solutions through common beliefs, and always had a strong desire to converse, learn and educate about current affairs and politics, seeking thoughts of others and sharing insights. Ken and Sara met in Edinburgh, Scotland in November 1961, where they each were studying. They met at the Lord Provost's Ball for International Students. Sara remembers the tall, red-bearded, blue eyed basketball player commanding a table of his teammates. They traveled with friends to Yugoslavia, where Ken's car broke down (the first of many vehicular issues Sara would experience throughout their marriage). They didn't really date much until the end of the year, when Ken proposed on the esplanade of the Edinburgh Castle. He promised adventure, which they had for 61 years. Ken and Sara started their family in Pittsburgh PA, and moved around to Watseka, Illinois and Houston, Texas, before finally settling the last 46 years in and around Chicago, Illinois. When not at work, Ken could be found outside in the garden, planting and harvesting, sitting on his porches whistling to the birds, in his study reading, writing, and watching his favorite sports teams the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Astros, the Cubs, Bears and Michael Jordan's Bulls and NCAA Basketball. Throughout his life, Ken and Sara met wonderful friends, colleagues, hosted large parties, and enjoyed sabbaticals in France, Germany and England. Ken's first full time service to the Presbyterian Church was in Pittsburgh PA. In 1964 he and a few young fellow pastors went to Mississippi to assist with voter registration for Black Americans. They and many others were thrown into jail that April, and upon Ken's return to Pittsburgh, he was faced with a letter accusing him of insubordination and behavior unacceptable of a junior pastor to the Church. The next assignment was in Watseka, Illinois from 1964-67. Arriving hopeful for a new start, the racism that was and still is rampant in the US reared its head, but not before son Kerry Bert was born and diagnosed with "transposition of the great vessels of his heart." On the advice of the doctor, Ken took newly born Kerry to Children's hospital in Chicago in hopes for advanced medical attention. Kerry died at 5 days old, and Ken's interest in Bioethics and the intersection of religion and science deepened. The young couple and baby Keith moved to Houston Texas, where Ken's career continued at the University of Houston in the medical center, as well as in service as the campus minister for Rice University and University of Houston. This job afforded him opportunities to support the struggles of families dealing with quality of life and end of life discussions. How much do we intervene medically when all seems lost? What does God advise us? What do we do when our faith and Medicine are at odds? Ken was at Baylor College of Medicine at the time David Vetter(the boy in the bubble) was born, furthering his interest and work in Bioethics. Their family grew during their time in Houston, surrounded by a strong community and a very special group of neighbors who were Ken and Sara's village, co-raising their children and filling their lives with laughter, parties, and never-ending philosophical discussions. In 1978, Ken moved the family to Chicago Illinois to serve as Professor of Ethics in Medicine at the University of Illinois Medical Center. They purchased their infamous house at 84 Riverside Road in Riverside, a glorious and run down Victorian boasting 14 rooms and 3 bathrooms. A great playhouse for the kids, Ken was proud to live in the historic town of Riverside, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux (no relation).The family moved to Hyde Park to be close to the University of Chicago where Sara worked and the girls attended school, continuing to build close neighbors and host many parties on the back deck and yard, many times with the neighborhood musicians. Ken re-entered the Church during this time through an interim pastor position at the Historic Second Presbyterian Church, forming long-lasting connections and where he delivered his iconic sermon: "The Holy Trinity: Jordan, Pippen and Rodman" during the Bulls epic multi-year championships. Ken retired from UIC in1993 and moved the family once more to Evanston to pursue a longtime dream of teaching theology at a seminary. He served as faculty and founder of the Stead Center for Ethics at Garrett Seminary until his retirement in 2012 at the age of 73.Ken authored many books and articles over his years, centered around the human condition and care of others in times of strife: "Health and Medicine in the Reformed Tradition" laid out his philosophy of life and care as it relates to the divine a story that is shared by all faiths and practices .. the 'Common Bond' of the 'Love of God and Neighbor.' One where the goal toward peace and justice .. as we hold ourselves accountable to the same God."(https://www.acommonword.com/response-from-prof-kenneth-vaux/).Ken was a lover of flea markets (Maxwell Street in Chicago and Les Puces in Paris being his favorites), strawberries, watercolor painting, riding his antique bike, sitting on the porch at the Western Pennsylvania cabin and putting up a basketball hoop wherever they lived. His homemade grills are legendary cooking corn on the cob, burgers and hot dogs was a favorite summer activity. Especially the makeshift grill at the PA cabin that included a mostly metal bedspring over a damp firepit only the finest for the Vaux family. Most of all, Ken loved animals. He placed bird feeders around their houses, sat on the porch or in the yard whistling to the cardinals and robins; he brought home a series of dogs starting with Bob Chihuahua and Fred and Clarence Bassett. Ken loved his parent's dog Mina and all the dogs at his Grandfather Pap Shoup's house. He tolerated the assorted cats his daughters brought home; and adored his grand-puppies Zack, Mitch, Rocky, Beanie, Fergus, Snowy, Milton and Spot. Ken is survived by his loving wife Dr. Sara Anson Vaux, with whom he celebrated 61 years of marriage two weeks before his death. Also surviving are Dr. Keith Kenneth (Tracy), Prof. Bert Richard (Leonie), Catherine Vaux Curry (Dr. Sean), and Sarah Vaux De Roeck. Loving Grandchildren Samantha Vaux, David Vaux, Aislinn Curry, Fiona De Roeck, Ehren Curry, and Ruairidh Vaux. Brothers Richard Vaux and Howard Vaux, cousins Ray Shoup and Jane Kober, many nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by sister Lois Vaux Boeninghaus.