R. Lloyd Ketcham, a 97-year-old longtime owner of Ketcham Oldsmobile in Independence and generous supporter of higher education in Missouri, died on Saturday, March 8, 2008, in Lee’s Summit.
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A memorial service is planned for Friday, April 18, 2008. Details will be announced at a later date.
Mr. Ketcham was born in Altamont in 1910, the son of Fred D. and Francis McAllister Ketcham. He attended public schools in Trenton, including Trenton Junior College (now North Central Missouri College). He earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri in 1934.
Mr. Ketcham started in the automobile business at age 10 as a mechanic’s helper and worked at the Wallace Machine Shop in Trenton during his high school and junior college years. He served as service manager at the Whippet Dealership in Chillicothe in 1929 and, after completing his education, was employed by Motors Insurance Corporation (MIC) until 1940, when he became the service manager of Greenlease O’Neil Oldsmobile in Kansas City, a position he held for 10 years.
He and his wife, Margaret Hoover Ketcham, started Ketcham Oldsmobile in Liberty in 1950. He moved the business to Independence in 1958 and ran it until his retirement in 1993.
Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham were long-time benefactors of the School of Engineering at University of Missouri, establishing a substantial scholarship program for undergraduate engineers which has provided scholarships to over 500 students. The Lloyd and Margaret Ketcham Auditor-ium, located on the campus in Columbia, is a lasting symbol of their generosity. The Ketchams also donated funds for a scholarship program and for the building of the Ketcham Community Center at North Central Missouri College in Trenton. In addition, they made donations to Northwood Institute in Midland, MI and to Mrs. Ketcham’s alma mater, Lindenwood College, in St. Charles.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit and the Rotary clubs of Liberty and Independence from 1952 until 1993.
He is survived by his son and daughter- in-law, Robert C. and Caroline Ketcham of Easton, MD; his daughter, Mary Beth Ketcham Maisel and her husband, Charles Valentine of Newton, MA; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; a brother, Mack Ketcham; and a sister, Peggy Ketcham Whitley.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Hoover Ketcham; and a son-in-law, Ira P. Maisel.
Donations are suggested to the NCMC Foundation to the attention of Steve Maxey at North Central Missouri College, 1301 Main Street, Trenton, MO 64683.