LEE, NH — Dr. Kenneth James Rothwell died peacefully February 19, 2020, in White River Junction, Vermont, surrounded by his loving family. Born October 13, 1923 in Perth, Western Australia, Ken was proud of his homeland and retained Australian citizenship his entire life. Professor Emeritus of International Economics, Ken taught at the Whittemore School of Business at University of New Hampshire for 30 years and was also an advisor for the United Nations Development Program. He was ahead of his time in his commitment to the advancement of international education worldwide, crossing disciplines and backgrounds to achieve broader global understanding through academics. When not traveling or giving lectures, Ken tackled numerous projects at his farmstead in Lee, New Hampshire where he and his wife Alida Eidner lived since 1962.
At age 19, Ken joined the Royal Australian Air Force and served as pilot in the Pathfinder Force of the Bomber Command in World War II, flying with allied England in bombing raids over Germany and France, then Manna and POW rescue missions. Post-war, he graduated from University of Western Australia. Subsequently, Ken met Alida while studying in Sweden then got his PhD at Harvard University. He taught at Dartmouth 1960-62 before tenure at UNH where he also served as Acting Dean. UNDP projects took him and young family to live in Indonesia, Australia and Iran.
Ken and Alida enjoyed spending time in their places alongside the water in Portsmouth and Miami Beach. After retiring, Ken was first President of their Condominium Association in Miami- an international conglomerate of owners and investors. He loved boating and body surfing. But the majority of the time found the Rothwells on the farm in Lee putting down roots of every kind – planting trees and gardens, white-painted fences outlining fields where many sheep and horses grazed. They raised their three children there, welcoming grand-children in later years.
Ken loved music and the idea of conducting – also raw oysters, discussions about world issues, going to the post office and Home Depot, and creating art on his computer. He could build and fix anything – carpenter, horticulturist, plumber, electrician, sculptor, veterinarian, philosopher – and was committed to land conservation.
Ken was thoughtful, wise, innovative, industrious, caring and adventurous. Though a serious academic, he enjoyed a laugh and could be downright silly. The world was indeed his oyster. Those fortunate enough to have shared it with him were enriched by knowing him. Predeceased by siblings Kath and Jack, parents Horace Percival and Violet, Ken leaves his wife of 68 years, Alida Eidner.
Rothwell, son Andrew (Dover, NH), daughters Kylie (Silver Spring, MD), Karin (husband Steve Ferraris, Norwich, VT); grandchildren Cyrus and Chiara, nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed for his courageous attitude and creative outlook on life.
Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com