Kenneth Thompson Nothstine

Kenneth Thompson Nothstine, 94, of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on August 2, 2024.

Born June 29, 1930, in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Paul A. and Lois (nee Thompson) Nothstine.  He led a life full of adventures, travel, reading, and intellectual curiosity. He was a well-loved conversationalist and story teller until his final day.

Ken moved from Ohio to Washington DC  at 10 years of age, where he always recalled the first day of waking up in his new city with wonder. He freely explored DC, formed friendships, watched Washington Senator baseball games, played in the Redskins Marching Band, and held a myriad of jobs throughout his youth. They ranged from working for Western Union and hot shops, to driving (and tipping) a Hires Root Beer Company truck. In late life, he claimed that his favorite job had been as a taxi cab driver.

Ken served honorably in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Eastern High School in 1947.

After college stints at Muskingum and Cincinnati, interspersed with cross-country adventures with childhood friend, Bud Naramore, he graduated from George Washington University in 1955 and became a registered pharmacist. He worked and relayed stories from scores of drug stores in the DC area.

Ken married Jean Ann Topham, whom he had met at Eastern High School, in 1956. They moved their family of 4 children to Downingtown, PA in 1966, when he began work with Wyeth Labs. Eventually retiring from the VA, he kept his pharmacy license valid until he was 80.

Ken had a life-long love affair with ragtime and Dixieland Jazz that he avidly shared with Jean Ann. Cruises with favorite bands like The Black Eagle Jazz Band took them to Europe, the Caribbean, and Canada. They also shared a love for traveling to the British Isles, especially Ireland. His stories, knowledge and enthusiasm for an eclectic range of topics, from world history to Paw Paw trees, will be missed. He often repeated, as he gestured to the world around him during his final year, “it’s just hard to give it all up.”

Kenneth was the beloved husband of the late Jean Ann (nee Topham) Nothstine; loving father of  Christopher Crown (the late Margaret Knight); Janet Nothstine (Ray Kaufman);  Dorcas Nothstine; Sarah Celik (Muhsin); adoring grandfather of Ayla Celik; cousin of Hugh (Tiz), Victoria (Chris), and Geoffrey Thompson, along with other cousins.

The family would like to thank Jordan, Mandy, Jeff, Penn Medicine Hospice, and all the other neighbors that brightened his days.

A service and interment will be held at 10 AM on August 17, 2024, St. Paul’s Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kenneth Nothstine’s memory may be made to:  The Potomac River Jazz Club 8935 Orchard Dr. Chestertown, MD 21620.