Celebrating 100 years

TIFFIN --- The Courtyard at Tiffin celebrated Ken Corthell's 100th birthday Tuesday. Corthell was born on March 19, 1924, and had a birthday party filled with friends, family, and staff. Megan Gunther Duncan, executive director of The Courtyard at Tiffin, says that Corthell often talks about his life and his past. He talks mostly about when he survived a near-fatal accident when he was five years old. He still has a very clear memory of the event. "Me and my older brother were sitting on the back porch of our farmhouse and my older brother was cleaning his gun, "Corthell recalled. "The gun discharged unexpectedly and wounded me as I was just a small child. It was very close to my heart and my brother felt terrible. They got me to the hospital by asking someone with a car to take me. My mother was known to have said that they had to sell a large amount of wheat to pay for my release from the hospital. My mother worked for many years as a cook for campers at Camp Pittenger." While his mom worked at Camp Pittenger, he, along with his brother, played a pivotal role in the installation of the enduring swimming pool that adorns the location to this day. Reflecting on the past, Corthell recounted, "We hauled countless wheelbarrows of cement that summer." Following his graduation, Corthell dedicated himself to serving his country within the U.S. Army Air Corps, a predecessor to the modern-day Air Force, from Feb. 24, 1943, to March 26, 1946, proudly earning the title of a World War II veteran. Stationed in India, diligently served at the Group headquarters, being part of the crucial supply operations that flew vital resources over the Alps. Post-military service, Corthell romantically pursued Dorothy Rider, eventually tying the knot in 1946. With a career at National Machinery from 1948 until his retirement in 1984 as an esteemed Technical Advisor on the factory floor. Today, Corthell treasures time spent with his children, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, with an additional little one on the way. His wife, Dorothy, died in 2018. He continues to captivate the staff at The Courtyard with his talent as a skilled wood craftsman. He is known for crafting detailed figurines and sturdy furniture, and maintaining the yard shows how much he loves nature and his passion for his surroundings.