Kenneth L. Bader, a longtime resident of Chesterfield, Missouri, died peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the age of 90. Ken was born May 4, 1934 in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, OH to Troy and Clara Walter Bader. Ken, the youngest of 7 siblings, grew up on the family farm, hunting for arrowheads and doing chores. He attended Carroll High School and The Ohio State University (OSU) where he received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. His doctorate focused on agronomy and he was instrumental in starting the turf research program at OSU. He later served as a professor of agronomy and then dean of students. In 1973 he left Columbus and became vice chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

After a distinguished career in higher education, Ken was hired as CEO of the American Soybean Association (ASA), which brought him to St. Louis in 1977. As head of the ASA Ken received multiple honors including: St. Louis Agribusiness Club’s Agribusiness Leader of the Year, National Agri-Marketer of the Year and American Agricultural Editors Association’s Agri-marketer of the Year. He was designated by President Reagan in 1984 to be a Member of the National Commission on Agricultural Trade and Export Policy. In 2022 he received the United Soybean Board’s inaugural Tom Oswald Legacy Award for his commitment and steadfast efforts to advance the soybean industry.

Ken was a loyal Ohio State Buckeyes fan, attending games in the horseshoe for decades. He loved watching Cardinals baseball games every summer. An avid golfer, Ken shot his age several times into his 80s.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Linda Silbaugh Bader. They met as undergrads at OSU and recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Also surviving are sons Brad (Debra) Bader and Brent (Ann) Bader, 6 grandchildren: Lauren (Tomas Kuzvard) Bader, Alex (Izabella) Bader, Jackie (Ricky) Morris, Adrienne Bader, Audrey Bader, and Evan (Charlotte) Goguillon-Bader, and 4 great grandchildren: Julian, Nolan and Rowan Morris, and Sofie Kuzvard. He is also survived by his sister Rita Ricketts. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Dorothy Gilbert, Carl Bader, Miriam Elder, Frances Mouch, and Walter Bader.

A memorial service will be held at the Friendship Village Chapel in Chesterfield, Missouri at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The Ohio State University Alumni Club of St. Louis at 15004 Claymont Estates Dr. Chesterfield, Mo. 63017