Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Kenneth Hazzard Panciera (D4354), 89, beloved husband of Gilda Anne (Liguore) Panciera for 67 years, died on Sunday, 15 March 2020. He was a member of Chapter XLVIII (Rhode Island) SFA.
He began his military career at the University of Rhode Island, graduating from the ROTC program in 1952 as a second lieutenant. He went on to serve with the 2nd Infantry Division in the DMZ in Korea in 1953-54 and then the Army Reserve from 1954-59
He joined the R.I. Army National Guard in 1959, as a First Lieutenant in the 103rd Field Artillery. He transferred to Company D, 16th SFGA and became jump qualified, SF qualified and Jump Master qualified. He served as an SFODA commander and as S-3. He commanded HHD, 6th SF Bn, 20th SFGA. In 1977 he was assigned as Assistant G-1, HHD, RIARNG. He retired in July 1980.
He was the father of four children, Andrea Panciera, Christopher J. Panciera and Kenneth P. Panciera, all of Hopkinton, and the late Lynn K. (Panciera) Algier.
He was the co-owner and operator of Russet Valley Farm, which raises polled Hereford beef cattle, in Hopkinton, R.I. Many R.I. farmers also knew him as their regional Farm Family Insurance agent.
Due to coronavirus concerns, a private burial with military honors was conducted on 23 March 2020 at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Ashaway, RI.
