Dr. Kenneth Butler

Dr. Kenneth Butler, 91, passed on November 18, 2024, the youngest of 13 born in Gloucester, England to Thomas and Francis (Harris) Butler on March 7, 1933.
Ken began his education at Sir Thomas Rich’s School, where his interest in science was recognized and his path was set.  His time at “Tommy’s” was the subject of many stories and where he first played rugby.  He continued to play while attending university until the repeated injuries to his fingers made it difficult to take notes in class.
The recipient of several awards and scholarships for science from academic institutions and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, Ken earned his Ph.C. diploma, B.Sc. Degree in Chemistry, B.Pharm, and finally his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Nottingham in 1958.   Ken chose to do his post-doctoral studies at the University of Rochester’s Department of Chemistry in New York and he came to the United States.  While there, his work was noticed by Pfizer Inc. and he was asked to join their research team in 1959.  The work he did in the fields of infectious diseases and oncology with Pfizer was invaluable.  He worked with Nobel Laureate Robert Woodward and they soon became friends, challenging each other with “brain teasers” for fun.  After years of  research and development of many pharmaceutical products (with over 300 patents), training and supervising research teams (including Michael Bright who created Azithromycin, aka Z-pack) and much international travel, he decided to leave Pfizer and the city, moving to Jacksonville, Vermont in 1977.  Ken started his own business, Bioscience Communications Inc., a consulting company for the pharmaceutical industry.  This company analyzed data from clinical trials, produced training programs and licensing documents working as an independent third party consultant to several pharmaceutical companies.
After “retiring” from the scientific field, Ken pursued his other passion--woodworking, and Shaker Reproductions was created.  Beginning with his fondness for Shaker furniture, he made several museum quality pieces which were displayed at Art on the Mountain.  He provided specific trim work for the Greensprings and Kingswood developments in Dover, and as the word spread, he became known for his unique, one of a kind pieces, to fit the specific needs people had.  He found time to also make pieces for family members, most of which had “secret” compartments (usually 13).  Ken also provided hundreds of cutting boards/trivets for the Hogback Mountain Gift Shop as locally made souvenirs.
Married on July 14, 2001, Ken leaves his wife Tammi (Plumb) with many loving memories of her dear “Phred.”  Ken is also survived by his daughters Rosslynn (Dave) Shaw and granddaughter Rebecca, Deborah (the late William “Skip”) Galt, Allison Butler and grandchildren Jason, Melanie, Michael Kenneth, and Devon, Kimberly Butler, and stepsons Charles and James Cashatt.
At the family’s request, there will be no services.