Kenneth Allan Yates, 82, died peacefully in the early morning of Monday, June 26, 2023.

Ken was born in New London, Connecticut, on November 10, 1940, and was the eldest son of the late Ernest and Thelma (Busby) Yates, and brother to the late Neal Yates. Shortly after he was born, the family moved down the road to Mystic, where Ken's earliest memories took place. His first years of life were well documented by his adoring parents: photos depict him always smiling and surrounded by family, enjoying time outside fishing, sledding, and riding bikes. Five years later, his brother Neal was born and the two became great friends. For years, both brothers would describe their fond memories together in this seaside town, playing on the ships in the harbor of Mystic. It was there that Ken discovered an interest in the artifacts from around the world preserved in the Mystic Marine Museum. His passion for learning about other countries and cultures developed into a life of travel and exploration — first in his career with the army, and subsequently in various positions within the United States Foreign Service.

As a college student interested in science and engineering, Ken pursued his studies at Clarkson University. As a student, he also joined the local church choir, sharing in the family's love for music cultivated by his mother. Ultimately feeling restless in the classroom, Ken chose to enlist in the Army. He served in the Army Security Agency from 1958 to 1961 in Japan. While stationed in Chitose, Hokkaido, Ken enjoyed exploring the area and ultimately backpacked across Japan for a month after his service ended.

Following his service, Ken returned to the United States and enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, this time with his sights set on studying International Affairs, with the ultimate goal of joining the Foreign Service. Despite describing himself as a poor language student, Ken ultimately learned Russian, Japanese, Dari, and Korean throughout his time traveling in service to the United States government. Ken graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with his B.A. in International Relations in 1967 and would later return to the States to complete his M.A. in International Affairs at George Washington University.

It was in Kwangju, Korea that Ken met Young Ne, his future wife and life-long partner. They were married in 1972 and proceeded to travel together, living in Afghanistan, Japan, China, and Iceland. Their life in those countries was fast-paced and adventurous, focused on learning, travel, and exploration. The couple also visited several countries before settling back in the United States. Even then, it could hardly be said that Ken and Young Ne settling down meant staying still. They continued their shared passion for exploration and learning, moving up and down the East Coast, taking and teaching classes along the way at several universities. For all of his life, Ken and Young Ne operated as a team, ready to take on the world together with open arms, curiosity, and humor.

Ken was a loyal husband, son, and brother. His quiet and thoughtful demeanor could at times make way to exciting and winding stories, regaling his close family with tales of his adventures, moves, and dreams of his next trip. During their regular calls, he and Neal would share stories of their current lives, as well as their fond memories growing up together.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Yates and Thelma (Busby) Yates, and his brother Neal Yates. In addition to his wife, Young Ne (Park) Yates of Timonium, Maryland, Ken leaves his nephew, Eric Yates of Easthampton, Massachusetts.