Originally Posted by 5x7

In one of Ken's posts he said he designed the Estes converter, which marketing released initially in a starter set, but the rocket in the set was named "Screw Machine" which Ken objected too, and was eventually dropped and the Converter kit was introduced using the same plastic screw couplers. I found that funny. It took years of searching, but based on his story I eventually found and got a "Screw Machine" rocket. RIP Ken.

Originally Posted by PaulK

Cool. Wish I had known that, I might have taken better care of my Converter, which also rests in peace. I'll have to keep my eyes out for another one.

Originally Posted by Faithwalker

If I find out more, I will attempt to provide an update.

Ken Montanye was 68 years old. His birthday was August 12, 1952.

Originally Posted by Faithwalker

Today, I received a call from Ken Montanye's sister, Charlene. She provided an update similar to what has been shared already, but she explained that things had been difficult with Covid-19 and with Ken's long-term care needs. Charlene explained that she lives in NY and Ken lived in NJ, and the care facility where Ken was moved had limited visitation. She explained that Ken's last wishes were to keep things simple and low key, so she wanted to respect his wishes.

Charlene did send me a nice photo, along with her permission to share, of her brother, Ken Montanye's memorial urn, which she has. She is considering sharing a portion of Ken's ashes with some model rocket friends to launch into the sky with their model rockets as a fitting memorial to her brother. Charlene was very gracious to allow me the honor and privilege of praying with her to ask the Lord's comfort for her and for her family.

Originally Posted by Faithwalker

Ken also was an expert on the history of Reaction Motors, Inc., the first successful American rocket company, founded December 18, 1941, within just two weeks from the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the event which thrust the United States into WWII. Ken collaborated with author Frank H. Winter, famed curator of the NASM in Washington, D.C., to help provide artifacts and details for the book entitled, "America's First Rocket Company: Reaction Motors, Inc.", published in 2017. The book is still available: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Fir...n/dp/162410441X

Reaction Motors, Inc. went on to accomplish some of the most significant technological breakthroughs in American Aerospace history, paving the way to manned flights far beyond the speed of sound, the beginnings of manned flight into space, and development of the critically important vernier motors for the Surveyor spacecraft that became the first U.S. soft-landing craft on the surface of the moon. Ken had the only known remaining brick from the original Reaction Motors, Inc. test facility control room blockhouse in Franklin Lakes, NJ.