Kenneth Lerman

Lerman, Kenneth B., 67, self-employed business consultant, professional speaker and author, died May 5, 2014 in Wichita, KS. Survived by his wife Geri Anne Appel, Ken was born April 15, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Albert Lerman and Dorithee Goldman Lerman who survives. His brothers Ron and Gary also survive. Ken enlisted in the Navy at the age of 19 and served two tours in Vietnam where he was decorated in combat during the TET offensive. Following Vietnam, he chose the scholastic sanctuary of Kansas and was immediately attracted to Kansas' values and character. He graduated in less than three years with highest honors from the College of Emporia, and won a national scholarship to Georgetown University for special Soviet studies. He then studied corporate and tax law at Washburn Law School and received the first Masters of Business Administration - Marketing degree from Emporia State University in 1976 where he was later named a Distinguished Graduate. Following his marriage to the love of his life, Geri Anne, in 1976, Ken worked for H. J. Heinz and Johnson & Johnson as Brand Manager, before returning to Kansas as the Pizza Marketing Director for Pepsico/Pizza Hut in 1980. Prior to its sale, Ken was the Marketing Director for Taco Tico. For 25 years, Ken was a consultant to business owners across North America. He delivered business lectures and seminars around the world and found great joy and satisfaction in improving business performance and profitability for many clients. Ken served his community well. For six years he prepared and gave the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening sermons at the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, in Wichita. He served as Chairman of the Board for the Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau and as a Board Director of the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce as well as many other well recognized organizations. He was a member of the National Speaker's Association and the Rotary Club of Wichita. Ken was also a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Visitation with the Family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary; Memorial Service will be at 10:00 A.M., Friday, May 9 at Plymouth Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with The Rotary Foundation c/o Rotary Club of Wichita, 100 N. Main, Ste. 1003, Wichita, KS 67202; Wichita County Amusement Association, Leoti, KS 67861; Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 929 N. St. Francis, Wichita, KS