NLADA Mourns the loss of Ken Koski, Wyoming State Public Defender

Funeral services for Wyoming State Public Defender Ken Koski, 56, were held on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cheyenne. Father Gary Ruzicka officiated.

A vigil service was held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19th at Schrader Funeral Home at 2323 Carey Avenue in Cheyenne.

Kenneth Michael (Ken) Koski was born in Hot Springs, SD, September 6, 1950, to Michael and Jean (Goodson) Koski. He died September 6, 2006 pursuing a passion of backpacking in the Wind River Mountains.

Ken attended school in Newcastle, WY, graduating in 1968. He attended Casper College, receiving an associate degree in 1970. He then attended the University of Wyoming, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in German. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He met his wife, Cheryl (Balin), while stationed at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina in August of 1973. While in the service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Marksman Rifle Badge, and Marksman Pistol Badge. He was discharged from active duty August 15, 1975. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at Buckley Air Force Base, CO and eventually was separated from service and obtained the highest rank of Major.

He married Cheryl Lynn Balin in West Springfield, MA on July 26, 1975. He returned to the University of Wyoming and obtained a Juris Doctorate degree in May 1979 and was admitted to the Wyoming State Bar, September 6, 1979.

After graduation from law school, the family moved to Powell, WY where Ken served as a law clerk before opening a private law practice and becoming a part time public defender. In 1995, Ken accepted the position of Deputy State Public defender and moved with his family to Cheyenne. He was appointed State Public Defender in 2000, and served in that capacity until his death.

Ken touched many lives with all the interests he had and passions he pursued. He became involved in scouting at a young age and continued to be active by becoming a scout leader in Laramie, and then Powell. He always had a tremendous love for the outdoors and continued to pursue this passion throughout his life. Specifically, he tried to impart this love of this leisure pursuit to family and friends through frequent Wind River backpacking trips.

He was an avid reader and collected many books on Wyoming. Later on he developed an interest in World War II, specifically his father's 41st Calvary Unit, in which he researched and coordinated meetings among veterans.

From his daily breakfast at the Driftwood to meetings with clients Ken had a way of meeting and befriending people through all walks of life. He was very generous with his time and loved to promote the State of Wyoming every chance he got. He particularly enjoyed giving personal tours of government buildings in Cheyenne.

In addition to his wife Cheryl, Ken is survived by his children, Kristie of Berkeley, CA, Kerri (Adam) Powell, Kris, and Katie of Cheyenne: brothers Kirt of Casper, Keith of Colorado Springs, and Steve of Wheatland; sisters Karen Koski of Aurora, CO, DeeDee Howard of Colorado Springs, and Cindy Goussard of Franktown, CO; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ken Koski Benefit Memorial, c/o 1st National Bank of Pinedale, 61 East Pine Street, Pinedale, WY 82941, with all proceeds going to Wyoming Search and Rescue organizations.

Below are just some of the comments made by colleagues of Ken on the American Council of Chief Defenders (ACCD) list serv.

“Having been fortunate enough to know Ken from the many ACCD meetings that he attended and from emails that he and I exchanged, I was always inspired by his genuineness, his sincerity and his friendliness. I will cherish, as a remembrance of Ken, the Wyoming Public Defender coin that he gave to all of us . He was a good man and his passing is a great loss to the Defender community. He will be missed by all of us.”
-Gerry Smyth, Connecticut

“I appreciated Ken's participation in our discussions, including on my system reform committee, and I share in the feeling of loss.”
-Bob Boruchowitz, Washington

“I too have the coin he gave me at an ACCD meeting a few years ago. It is one of the things that survived Katrina in my office. We had to replace many things, but I still have the coin.”
-Ed Greenlee, Louisiana

“As is true for so many, I sat at home last night looking at the coin Ken gave me. On that day, we talked about why the message means so much to all of us. Since Ken gave that coin to me, reading it has brought strength in times of darkness and frustration.

When any of us stand tall, hate injustice, defy the powerful and speak for the voiceless, Ken is there with us.

The last phrase, ‘Speak for the Voiceless,’ says it all. Ken was a powerful voice ... and will be missed.”
-Robert Willey, California

“It is indeed profoundly sad. This incredible man with the huge smile will be greatly missed. I too welcome the opportunity to contribute to anything we decide to do to honor his memory.”
-John Digiacinto, California

“The 25-year coins epitomize Ken’s generosity, his passion for indigent defense, and his pride in the Wyoming program. We will all miss him.”
-Mike Tobin, Wisconsin

“I too am saddened by the loss of Ken - Such a remarkable person.”
-Anne Daly, Washington

“Wyoming and ACCD have lost a real friend in Ken Koski. I spent the most time with Ken at the recent ACCD meeting in Washington, DC. Four things came through loud and clear. First, that he loved his family. Second, that he loved Wyoming. Third, that he was proud of the public defender program that he was building and that he had a passion for making it better. Finally, that he had a zest for life and a deep caring for friends. The entire public defender community mourns Ken’s passing.”
-Ernie Lewis, Kentucky

“You all should know that Ken paid for those coins out of his own pocket. He did not think it was proper to spend public funds on that. He gave me ten of them to take to the recent ACCD meeting in Las Vegas to give to folks who had not already received them and I did distribute most of them.”
-Terry Rogers, Wyoming

“I will be going to Wyoming on Sept. 26th. Ken invited me out to do a training which is still going on as planned. If you have anything you'd like me to present to his family or staff just get it to me before then.”
-Mike Coleman, New York

“My heart is broken to lose such a wonderful person and dedicated public defender. Perhaps Richard or Mike Coleman can determine the location of the wake and/or funeral and we can send flowers or some other indication of our affection for Ken.”
-Lisa Schreibersdorf, New York

“I also still have my coin. Soon after that accd meeting I called Ken and asked him if he would mind if I "borrowed" the quote to use on the back of tee shirts I was having made for our attorneys. He said he'd be delighted! For those who may not have a coin, here is the quote -
‘Hate Injustice
Defy the Powerful
Speak for Voiceless’
Ken did all of that and more. He will be missed.”
-Fern Laethem, California

“I also have the Public Defender coin which I keep in my wallet and look at often, especially on those hard days when I need to remember why I am doing what I am doing. I talked with Ken about how much the coin meant to me in March of this year in D.C. and he seemed proud to see that the coin was tarnished and looked well used.”
-Carl Moulton, Maine

“When our agency's governing commission met in November of 2005, Ken was one of our first invited guests. We started with a somewhat uninspiring 'what do we do,' and Ken spent one and a half days with me and got us started down the road of developing an agency. Up to last month, Mr. Koski was still sending me interesting articles, tips, and ideas, and we are really sad about this event."
-Robin Huseby, North Dakota

“Ken was kind enough to let us steal the whole idea, and put us in contact with the manufacturer. We changed the front, and left the quotation on the back. A coin is now presented to attorneys in our office to honor their first jury acquittal, and to other staff members for years of service.”
-Jeff Larson, South Dakota

"I too still have my Wyoming Public Defender coin - I like to think of it as a medal celebrating all of the unsung heroes in public defense. Ken was definitely one of them and will be greatly missed."
-Christie Hedman, Washington

For more information about Ken and the Ken Koski Benefit Memorial, please visit the Ken Koski Web site http://kenkoski.com