Obituary of Kenneth Dodge Eastman

Colonel Kenneth Dodge Eastman, USAF (Ret.), 70, died peacefully at his Lake Havasu home in Arizona, on March 25, 2018, Palm Sunday. 

Col. Eastman was born August 16, 1947, in Melrose, MA, to Robert and Mary Dodge Eastman. He entered the Air Force in 1970 after graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1969, Sigma Beta. After graduating from Officer Training School, he obtained his master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He had commanded a remote prepositioning site, a tactical air control center squadron, a communications systems squadron, and was deputy commander of the 9th Air Operations Group, Shaw AFB. During Desert Shield/Storm he coordinated the structure and operational procedures for the tactical air control system and flew as a mission director on board the Airborne Early Warning and Control System, AWACS.  He was a master navigator with over 3,300 flying hours in KC-135, C-123 and RF-4C Phantom Birds, including over 500 hours of combat time. After being promoted to full Colonel, he was put in charge of USSPACE Command’s Joint Space Support Team dedicated to US Central Command and Special Operations Command.  

He retired from the Air Force in 2001, after giving 31 years of service to our country.  He then decided to work as an information operations contractor at the Joint Warfighting Center in Virginia, where his wife Char worked. After a short time, Ken and Char decided to “mostly” retire to their home on Millen Pond in Washington, New Hampshire, where they were immediately involved in the spirit of the community. 
Ken had a lifelong love of Millen Pond, NH, that was passed down through many generations.  He was devoted to his land on the lake and had an untiring service to the lake association of which he was a former president.  He was the originator and manager of the Lake Host program on Millen Pond, that strives to keep bodies of water healthy.  He so enjoyed talking with the fishermen while checking the boats for Milfoil and other dangers to the lake.  He was dedicated to the town of Washington, NH, and for many years served as a deacon at the Washington Congregational Church and as Chairman of the Selectman at Town Hall. He was involved with the Washington Historical Society. Throughout his life Ken gave of his time and expertise to preserve the lifestyle of Millen Pond and to make Washington, NH, a better place for everyone. 

Kenneth Eastman was a true “officer and gentleman."  Ken was a loving father, husband and a very proud grandfather.  

He cared greatly about his friends, new and old.  Ken is survived by the love of his life, Char (Charley) Eastman, wife of 21 years; his son, Robert Anthony Eastman and his wife Amanda; their daughter, Ken's grand daughter, Elena; his sister, Janet Ficke of CO; nephews and nieces: John Pasieka, Susan Gleason, Adam Ficke, and Heather Ficke. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary, his former wife, Delores Eastman, and his sister Patricia Eastman. 

Memorial services will be held at the Washington Congregational Church in Washington, New Hampshire, July 12, 2018, at 1pm.  There will be  a celebration of his life held afterwards at Camp Morgan Lodge on Millen Pond. 

Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Ken's family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. To send a free card to the family go to www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.