Kenneth Lewis Beattie, age 64, passed away peacefully in his home in Hot Springs, South  Dakota on July 2, 2023. He was born In Milton, Ontario on March 20, 1959 to Douglas "John"  Beattie and Gladys Sheldon Beattie and spent his childhood in Canada and United States. He  obtained dual citizenship on March 30, 1989. Ken had a passion for cooking, history and  politics, and enjoyed fishing, camping and motorcycling over his lifetime.

His distinguished career spanned 43 years in automated ion beam deposit and etch  deposition. Ken traveled extensively around the globe to perform on-site installation, repair and  maintenance of deposition systems. Formerly employed by Commonwealth Scientific  Corporation in Virginia, he was most recently employed by Vapor Tech in Colorado as a Field  Engineer. In 1999, Ken was one of two inventors securing a patent for coatings of cubic boron  nitride. His knowledge base was invaluable and work ethic often noted by customers, as he  served them with skill and dedication.

Ken is survived by his four children: Elizabeth Frias, Sean Beattie (Claire) and grandchildren  Maeve and Brady Beattie, Sara Beattie and Conor Beattie. He is also survived by his partner,  Sandra Merrow, Jean Gorman (sister), Robert Beattie (brother) and former wives Camille  Bontrager and Charlotte Copenhaver. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Ken wished for his celebration of life to be as unique and individual as the relationships he had  with friends, co-workers and family. His sense of humor, intellect and quick wit was engaging  and endearing, and he is missed by many.