. Ken Manson was a journalist all his working life -- as a reporter and editor -- finally retiring in June, 2021, after 16 years as a freelance reporter for various Chicago Tribune newspapers. That May, he married his longtime girlfriend, Debbie Lipinski, and they were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together.

Like many of us, he was introduced to ERB first through the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan movies and then the rest of the author’s works through the Ace editions. Ken particularly liked the Pellucidar series.

He was introduced to ERB fandom 16 years ago through the Muckers and he contributed to all but one of their 56 magazine issues. Ken attended almost all the Dum-Dums and ECOF Gatherings in those years and he worked at the four Illinois conventions – Hillside, Oak Brook and two in Morris -- hosted by the Muckers. He organized the 2019 ECOF in Oak Brook, Illinois, where Joe Jusko was the guest of honor, and he ran the dealers’ room at all four Muckers conventions.

Ken was a member for two years of ERBapa and has contribted many articles to ERBzine. 

In 2022 Ken joined the board of the Burroughs Bibliophiles.

Ken occasionally uses the pseudonym of Hemmington Main, or Hemmy Main, after the writer character in "The Rider"

He constantly added to his large ERB collection and looked forward to the many new books from ERB Inc. His retirement years, he finally had time  at last to go through his backlog of books and magazines.

Sadly, his fulfilling retirement years and his wonderful time spent with his bride, Debbie, were cut so short by his sudden passing. 

Ken has left bountiful memories with his many ERB friends, family and the love of his life, Debbie. 

So long old buddy . . . your work and dedication to ERB fandom leaves fond lasting memories.

KEN'S OBITUARY

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Ken Manson, age 68, of North Riverside, died November 7, 2022.

Ken was the dear husband of Debra Lipinski; dear brother of Leslie Manson, John (Liz) Manson and Bill (Sarah Gadelha) Manson; dear brother-in-law of Dave (Karen) Lipinski; dear uncle of Aubrey (Dimitri) Marchenko, Lisa (Brian) Christensen, Ashley (fiancée Andrew) Lipinski and Eric (Lauren) Lipinski.

Ken was born in Chicago. He graduated from Morton West High School and just recently attended their 50th Reunion. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in journalism, which he loved.

Ken worked as a newspaper editor for years. He received multiple awards from state and suburban news organizations.

Ken was proud of his Scandinavian heritage.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard. Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 9:30 AM at funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1025 E. Madison, Lombard. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Info www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth, please visit our floral store.

Please share a memory of Kenneth to include in a keepsake book for family and friends. 
VIEW TRIBUTE BOOK

LOVING THOUGHTS FROM DEBBIE

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Ken died suddenly Monday, Nov. 7, the dearest of friends to all of us and a treasured family member as well.

We lost him in a twinkling of an eye, in a heartbeat. 

I was blessed to have him as a husband. There was not one syllable of a complaint or an indication that he was ill and that the last time we would see him would be our last.

Indeed, our last moments together were an absolute gift, a true outpouring of mutual kinship, an utter carpe diem immortality.  Ken could be shy but was generous in his love.  We shared our words and actions our final time both grateful for that extra hour to feel transformed.  He had the gift of turning the mundane into happiness, the transitory into a substantial and enduring legacy.

I feel devastated and drained.  But in reading the rich and beautiful outpouring from you and our circle, I came across something he sent me a couple of years before he even proposed, from March, 2017.  It is a sweet, heartfelt way he affirmed the true man he was, a gift that keeps on giving.