Edward Kendrick Spitz

Edward Kendrick Spitz, age 94, of Mt Pleasant, SC passed away on Tuesday August 21, 2018. Ken was born on December 17, 1923 in Bryn Mawr, PA to Edward William Spitz of Vienna Austria and Caroline Kendrick Spitz of New York. He grew up in Tarrytown & Dobbs Ferry NY where he attended school and went on to Columbia University. College was interrupted by World War II where he served in the Infantry in the European theatre. He served in the 273rd Inf. Reg. 69th Div. His division was initially stationed in England then landed in France, and fought their way across Belgium and Germany until victory was achieved in Europe in May 1945.
He married Jean Kakerbeck in 1949 and returned to Columbia University to complete his masters degree in Industrial Chemistry. Upon graduation, they moved from New York City to Rome, Georgia where Ken worked in research & development at the Celanese Corporation. There they started their family. In 1953, with two young children, they moved to South America and lived in Medellin and Cali, Colombia for five years. Ken worked at Celanese Colombiana supervising synthetic textile manufacturing operations. While living in Colombia, their family grew by two more children. In 1958 after enduring earthquakes and military coups, the family moved to Rock Hill, SC, where their 5th and last child was born. They lived there for 14 years. Then in 1972 the family moved to Hanahan in the Charleston SC area where Ken began work at Rabestos-Manhattan. He retired in 1992 and was able to devote full time to his love of gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

Ken was predeceased by his wife Jean Kakerback Spitz in 2012. He leaves behind his daughter Susan Spitz Christie & husband Scott of Mt Pleasant, SC, son Rick Spitz & wife Barbara of Amherst, NH, son Ted Spitz and wife Michelle of Anderson, SC, son Peter Spitz & wife Patti of Mt Pleasant, SC, son William (Sandy) Spitz & wife Patti of Matthews, NC, sister-in-law Margaret Kakerbeck of Washingtonville, NY, and sister-in-law Beth Wallach and husband Brian of White Plains, NY. Ken was predeceased by his sisters Mitzi Sipp of Rome, Georgia and Cynthia O'Connell of Kansas City.

Ken also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Douglas Christie & wife Joy and great-granddaughter June of Seattle, Washington, Katie Christie Weimann & husband Dan of Gerlingen, Germany, Laurie Peters & husband Jeremy and great-grandson Rowan of Ringgold, Ga, John Spitz of Merrimack, NH, Carly Spitz Segreti & husband Mike of Stoneham, MA, Jonathan Spitz & wife Jescelyn of Columbia, SC, Stephanie Spitz of Anderson, SC, Phillip Spitz & wife Taylor and great-grandson Jacob of Mt Pleasant, SC, Michael Spitz of Mt Pleasant, SC, Kristyn Spitz and husband Clayton Coleman of Charleston, SC, Ashlyn Spitz of Mt Pleasant, SC, Lindsey Spitz Poley & husband Jeff of Indian Land, SC, and Haley Spitz Fields & husband Greg of Raleigh, NC.

Ken truly embodied the spirit of America's greatest generation, overcoming the great depression, serving his country in WWII to defeat Nazi fascism, and working to help rebuild the world's economy. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment was becoming the beloved patriarch of generations of vibrant Spitz families.

Funeral services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL.