Kenneth W. Stein

Kenneth W. Stein

February 6, 1950 – March 26, 2023

After a long illness, Ken passed away peacefully at Summerfield of Redlands. He was born the second of four boys and raised in Salinas, California by his parents Bernard and Marianna Stein. He attended schools in Salinas as a high achieving student who participated in drama and track and field. After graduating, he enrolled in UC Berkeley, majoring in English. Soon after graduation from Berkeley, he began his career with the YMCA in 1972, working in Richmond and Oakland, California. He served as Branch Executive in Richmond and then moved to the YMCA of the East Bay (Oakland) as CFO. He worked for the Bay Area Y for twenty-five years before relocating to Redlands, California in 1997. As CEO of the Redlands Y, Ken worked tirelessly to build what is now the multi-branch YMCA of the East Valley. He orchestrated mergers with the YWCA of Redlands and the San Bernardino YMCA. He worked alongside the City of Highland to open a facility for the Highland community. In addition to that, he opened up a childcare branch called Preschool University which serves more than a hundred students per year. Ken had one more impressive achievement to complete before he ended his tenure (2012) at the Y: a new 24,000 square foot Aquatics Center, a 9.1 million dollar pool complex with locker rooms.

When not working, Ken enjoyed gardening, running, swimming, and volunteering for Noon Rotary and other special events offered in Redlands and Highland. He loved baking and cooking holiday dinners, and his family, especially his grandchildren, loved his holiday meals. Ken had a playful side and was known for his quick wit and child-like humor. He delighted in telling silly jokes and pranking unsuspecting staff and friends. Later in his Y career he allowed this playful side to come out and wore festive Tommy Bahama shirts to work. In honor of Ken’s sense of humor, if you have a Tommy Bahama shirt (or something similar) please wear it to his Celebration of Life on May 13th (see details below).

Ken is survived by his caring wife, Robin, whom he adored; his son Toby and Toby’s family, Rebecca (wife) and three children, Blaine, Allison, and Loralai; brothers Keith (Debbie), David (Jill), and Erik; and many nieces and nephews who all adored their Uncle Kenny. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Redlands Family YMCA (500 E. Citrus Avenue) on Saturday, May 13th at 11am. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Redlands Family YMCA in honor of Ken Stein (Memorial Fund).