Milton Eugene Kaden's Obituary
Milton Eugene Kaden passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2021.
Milt was born in Cleveland, OH to Fannie and Harry Kaden on November 19, 1926. He attended East Tech High School in Cleveland, graduating in 1945 with a major in Industrial and Metalurgical Chemistry. Milt went on to study Mechanical Engineering and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Fenn College (Cleveland State University) in 1950.
Milt enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (U.S. Air Force) and served from April 1945 to December 1945. He trained as a remote control gun turret mechanic.
Milt had a life-long passion for aviation that started at a young age. He was a model airplane enthusiast who won prizes in every school model airplane contest he ever entered. Milt got his pilot license in 1959 and joined a flying club out of the Cuyahoga County Airport. On Saturdays when visibility was good, Milt could be found exploring the skies of Northeast Ohio in his Cessna 172 and often taking friends and family on flying adventures.
Milt took over his father’s business in 1961 and became the president and general manager of Valen Mfg Co. which grew to employ close to 100 people. Valen manufactured electrical outlet boxes and covers. Milt invented and patented other electrical products as well.
In 1963 Milt met the love of his life, Evie, while vacationing at Green Mansions resort in the NY Adirondack Mountains. Their long-distance romance between Cleveland & New York City resulted in marriage later that year on December 28. They settled in Cleveland, first living in Mayfield Hts where daughter, Sherry, was born and then second daughter, Jennifer, was born soon after moving to Richmond Heights.
Milt and Evie loved to travel both in the U.S. and beyond. In their early years together, they took their daughters exploring much of the U.S. and Canada in a pop up camper. When Milt retired, they bought an RV and continued their travels enjoying warm winters in Tarpon Springs FL and autumns in Myrtle Beach SC.
Milt had a diverse range of interests which spanned classical music to football. Classical music was a staple in the Kaden household while growing up and Milt’s appreciation for that genre continued throughout his life. He was also a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan never missing a game. Milt loved to downhill ski, teaching his daughters when they were young. He enjoyed playing golf and was also a World War II history buff. His lifelong passion for learning extended far beyond history, and he enjoyed a wide range of subjects that he explored through classes at Tri-C’s Encore Senior Adult Education Program.
Milt was truly a gentle soul who had a calming presence. He always had a sweet smile and gave those he interacted with, his undivided attention. Milt found joy and contentment in simple pleasures; he loved watching sunsets and feeling the warmth of the sun's rays on his skin. He had a humble heart, a keen sense of justice and fairness, and was quick to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Milt is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Evelyn, along with his parents, Fannie and Harry Kaden. He is survived by his son Douglas, daughters Sherry Kahn (Bradley) and Jennifer Kaden along with granddaughters Erika and Alexandra Kahn, and sister Edith Kaden.
Interment was at Hillcrest Cemetery.
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