Kenneth R. Bangerter

Kenneth R. Bangerter, 93, passed away peacefully and of his own choice on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Veterans Home in Oxford, New York, surrounded by his family. Born on June 24, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Claire (Ruh) and Frederich Bangerter.

Kenneth graduated from Jamaica High School in 1947, and attended Queens College until he enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. As he had an aptitude for all things mechanical, he quickly became an instructor in the Air Force and taught other servicemen the building and maintenance of the aircraft engines used during the war. He was known for not only his efficiency, but more importantly for the fact that none of his engines failed during flight, as had sometimes happened prior to him becoming an instructor.

After Korea, Kenneth married the love of his life, Antoinette Riscica, a fellow Jamaica High classmate, on November 10, 1956. They eventually settled in Ithaca, New York, where Kenneth had opened a motorcycle shop after the Air Force, deciding that Ithaca would be the best place to raise a family. He later worked as a mechanical engineer for Ingersoll Rand in Sayre, PA, and at Morse Chain in Ithaca. As Kenneth came from a long line of brilliant Swiss inventors, he became a consultant, solving technical problems where others could not. He has amassed many patents for his designs, including for the first ultrasound, to be developed for use on animals. Later on in his career, he bought and operated a six-bay automotive repair shop, which he managed until a car accident forced his early retirement. 

During his retirement and unable to be idle, Kenneth revived his love of cameras from his teenage years, and became a dealer and repairman. He worked with the photography students from Cornell University and Ithaca College, repairing cameras they brought to him, teaching them how to use them, as well as loaning out his equipment to the schools. As a teenager growing up in Jamaica Heights, NY, he and a couple of friends would take the train to Ithaca on weekends, where Kenneth would take pictures of couples at the Cornell fraternity parties, and sell them to the young men to give their dates. Working with the photography students in his retirement brought him full circle. 

Always needing to soak up new knowledge, Kenneth began repairing Mac computers and donating them to needy children in Tompkins County during his retirement. He also adapted Mac desktop computers for people with physical disabilities, and donated those as well. Kenneth quickly became known for his generosity in the community, not just to friends and family, but to complete strangers as well. As he spent the last eight months living at the VA Home in Oxford, he very quickly became a favorite amongst the staff and residents there, always staying upbeat and helping other residents as much as he could. He will be missed tremendously.

Kenneth loved his family and would do anything for them-a true dedicated parent. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Antoinette, their first daughter, Laura Anne Bangerter, at infancy; his brother Fred Bangerter, and his sister Evelyn Altenburg. He is survived by his daughters, Barbara (Mark) Kane of West Seneca, NY, and Maria Ortiz (Steve Wheaton) of Freeville, NY; his son Thomas Bangerter (Ingrid Caruso) of Sarasota, FL; his grandchildren Laura Kane-Punyon (Jason Punyon), Joseph Kane (Alejandro Real Valle), Matthew (Gina) Kane, Helena Ortiz, Kyle (Karolina Kowalik) Bangerter, Alec Ortiz, and Derek Bangerter; as well as six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all.

Friends and family may join us on Friday, October 2nd, at 1:30 PM at Calvary Cemetery, 636 Five Mile Drive, Ithaca, NY, for a graveside service.

Contributions in Kenneth’s memory may be made to the Veterans Home at Oxford, 4207 NY-220, Oxford, NY, 13830; as well as Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 33-39 Court St, Norwich, NY, 13815.