Kenneth Victor DeSchepper of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the age of 74. Ken was born March 11, 1952, and grew up in the East Bottoms of Kansas City, Missouri, more commonly known then as the “Belgian Bottoms.” He attended De La Salle High School, where he played nearly every sport—football, basketball, wrestling—but his main love was always baseball. He excelled as a catcher, even securing two Major League Baseball tryouts.

Ken married Julie Lynn DiGirolamo on May 25, 1973, and finished his education at Northwest Missouri State University. After graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, he joined Black & Veatch, where he worked for nearly 45 years. In 1986, the family moved from Belton, Missouri, to Overland Park, Kansas, where they remained.

When his kids were young, Ken was happiest coaching their baseball and softball teams—some summers juggling both in one season. After retirement, he loved the occasional round of golf, learning about World War II history, building model airplanes and ships from that era, and solving puzzles. Until the very end, he sent his Wordle score to his daughter daily. Ken’s truest love since he was a kid, though, was animals—especially his dogs. They all came running at the sound of his distinctive whistle, and we knew he was their favorite person in the entire world. Despite his best efforts, he also had a soft spot for cats.

Ken is survived by his wife of 53 years, Julie; his daughter Rachel (Russ Murdock); his son Mark (Katie Beth); and his grandchildren Logan and Grace DeSchepper.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Great Plains SPCA Great Plains SPCA to help animals there find a loving Ken of their own, or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

The family sends special thanks to the nurses at Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care who made Ken’s final months as comfortable and pain-free as possible.