Theodore Steven Kaufmann, 88, of Rockledge, Florida, formerly of Wilton, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2022. A visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 25, 2022 at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton. A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton. Burial will take place in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton. Condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Theodore was born on September 24, 1933, the son of Walter and Marguerite (Bouland-Whitmer) Kaufmann. He graduated from Wilton High School with the Class of 1951. Theodore proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He married Barbara Winslow in 1956 at the Kaufmann family home.
Theodore was an Electronic Technical Specialist at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, formerly known as Cape Kennedy, for 38 years. As supervisor of Launch Complex 36 Theodore oversaw the day to day launch pad operations as well as the Atlas missile launches. His position was the crucial center of hub activity that kept Missile Launch Complex Pad 36 running smoothly.
The Atlas-Centaur was a United States expendable launch vehicle derived from the SM-65 Atlas D missile. Launches were conducted from Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida.
He was a member of the Merritt Island Moose Lodge and the Rickety Rocketeers of General Dynamics.
Ted had a great love of the United States and loved to travel with his family driving from coast to coast, visiting much of the United States several times. The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, The Redwood Forest and The Painted Desert were among some of his favorite places to visit. Most recently he had fond memories of traveling out to California to travel and visit with his daughter in-law’s parents.
When he was younger, diving and spear fishing were a big part of his life and he would often take the family to the Florida Keys. After retiring, Ted enjoyed cruising with his wife, Barbara. Some of their favorite cruises were to Alaska, The Panama Canal, Costa Rica and the Caribbean.
Theodore will be missed by his loving wife, Barbara; two sons, Steven Theodore Kaufmann and his partner Xu Huang, John Walter Kaufmann and his wife Dolores, all in Rockledge, and his two grandchildren, Avalon Valkyrie Kaufmann and Jonathan Alexander Kaufmann.
Theodore was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Shirley Kaufmann.
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