Obituary of Rev. Kenneth Scott

WATERVLIET –

The Rev. Kenneth Scott of Watervliet passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 31, 2024.

Survived by his beloved children—daughter Kelly (Kristopher Tan) and son Aaron (Rev. Erica Williams)—Ken also leaves behind his dear niece Ashley as well as his three cherished grandsons Moses, Miles and Avery. He will be deeply missed by his church community, his colleagues at the College of Saint Rose, the Peterson family, his friend and former wife of 42 years Greta Petry, and his dog Mellow who faithfully stayed by his side to the very end.

Born to Leland and Ivy Scott in Schenectady in 1954, Ken grew up with his sister Iris in Alplaus and graduated from Niskayuna High School in 1972. He earned a BA in history and anthropology from SUNY Oswego and pursued his training and licensing as a local pastor at Drew University and Wesley Theological Seminary.

Ken had a vibrant and warm personality and connected deeply with people from all walks of life, through his work as a pastor and his decades of community service. Ken began his church career in 1995 and served several congregations in the Upper New York District of the United Methodist Church including South Corinth, Cohoes, and Green Island. Though he officially retired after 17 years of service, he continued leading worship and hospice ministry for several more years.

Ken started his career in the mail room at the College of Saint Rose in 1990, also working in the Educational Media department for several years before becoming Director of Community Service with the Office of Spiritual Life in 2001. For twenty years, he mentored hundreds of students in this role, coordinating delegations to learn and volunteer across the Capital District and across the U.S. Ken was a dedicated teacher not only in modeling charitable works but also in encouraging young people to seek out and address the root causes of injustice and inequality. He was deeply committed to climate justice, poverty eradication, ending racism and peace-building at home and abroad.

Those who knew Ken will always remember his passion for life, fun, adventure, community, friendship and family. He loved camping, hiking, and canoeing in the Adirondacks, playing basketball and rooting for the Celtics, singing and playing the guitar, taking long walks with his dog, reveling in his Scottish heritage, and cheering on the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He was deeply loved by his family, friends and community and will be truly missed.

Relatives and Friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 4-7PM in the Riverview Funeral Home, 218 2nd Avenue (corner of 104th Street) Troy, NY 12180.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from the Church of the Good Shepherd, 89 Hudson Avenue, Green Island, NY 12183 beginning at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow the service in Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands.

Those attending the funeral on Saturday in the church are asked to dress warmly, as the church is raising funds to replace the furnace.

Donations can be made in Ken’s honor to the Church of the Good Shepherd, P.O. Box 1523, Green Island, N.Y., 12183, as well as to the American Heart Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Scott Family, online at: TheRiverviewFuneralHome.com

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Rev. Kenneth Scott

1954 - 2024

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Obituary of Rev. Kenneth Scott

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