In Memoriam

A unique and shinning force, a wonderful friend, a beautiful man. Gone but never, ever forgotten.

As a dedicated crew chief at Moody AFB Capt Levens flew my aircraft at least once or twice a week ferrying other jets and pilots to and from Hill AFB when they were performing the mods for the 'beef up plates". I was saddened when I heard the news of his F-117 accident and he is in my thoughts and prayers.

He enjoyed flying the F-16 and was very excited to be choosen to flythe F-117. RIP Sir.

Hi, I'm Captain Ken Leven's son (also named Ken Levens). I just wanted to say thank you for keeping m father in thoughts. It means very much to my family and me.

I was a crew chief at Moody AFB. Ken and myself were in charge of the advance team when we depoyed up to Cold Lake in Canada. I spent quite a bit of time with him up there. He was a class act. A very fun loving guy.

I met Ken while attending Texas Tech University in the early 80's we quickly became good friends. I was very proud of Ken as he came from humble beginnings growing up in Anson, Texas to become an elite fighter pilot in the USAF flying the F-16 and F-117. May 10, 1995 was one of the saddest days of my life I will never forget the sadness. I will always remember Ken as a kind hearted fun loving man. He loved his wife and two children. His two children can be very proud of their dad and I will never forget him. I have several pictures of Ken and I would love to get them to the family please respond to the email listed above.

I was very good friends with Ken's wife, Cathy. We were at Moody AFB at the same time. I have searched for her in every way that I know possible since the accident and would love to get in touch with her. I see that Ken, Jr, has a message on here from 2008... If anyone knows a way that I can contact her, please email me at katakakc@hotmail.com..... Ken and Cathy were such a great couple together. I loved them both. My married name was Winfree....

no words can express how much I miss kenneth. he was truly a beautiful person inside and out. his humor, his smile, his musical talent, his martial art talent do not come close to expressing the man he was.

See you in heaven some day friend!

I first met Ken when we was going to Texas Tech. I called him Ken Dog after that Joe Ely song West Texas Waltz where he sang, "Well I had me a young cow dog and I told him how now dog..."

He later moved to Houston where I was living and we hung out a lot. We later lost touch but as fate would have it, I read the WSJ in a small article that talked about his going down in the F-117. I remember Ken in my prayers, and remember our hunting trips and jamming on the guitar singing all those old C&W songs before we'd go out on the town. I notice Ken's son on this board, if you have a chance, please drop me an email. I loved your dad and can share a lot of great stories with you. He is a hero and I am sure he is looking down on us from Heaven.

PS- I thought of googling him because I just listened to an old Jerry Jeff Walker song that reminded me of your dad. That's how I remember him, smiling, singing, and just hanging out with me.

God Bless...

I first met Kenneth and Kevin way back during High School. I would go with my friend to her lakehouse and met the twins who was at their grandparents lakehouse. Our friendship developed over the years until we lost touch. I was extremely sadden when I just recently found out about the accident. To his wife and children---How blessed you are to have had such a wonderful husband and father that I'm sure Kenneth was. I will always remember his great smile and unbelieveable personality. I was always so excited to finally get to the lakehouse so Lee and I could hang out with Kevin and Kenneth. What great memories I have of them both. Thank you.

Just thinking of Ken for some reason today. You are not forgotten my friend. Later

I met Kenneth at Texas Tech in Fall 1980. We became friends & then roommates. Kenneth was like a big brother to me a lot of the time. His death was devastating to me. I was closer to Kenneth than to my 3 brothers and I loved him. He was almost like a hero to several people from Texas Tech days. Kenneth was a good Christian man and his heart was big and kind. The world most definitely is not as good as it once was. Sometimes, I think of all he missed in his children, all I missed not being able to talk to him, what his kids missed not having him in their lives. I used to have dreams that he'd show up at my door and tell me, the USAF was wrong about his passing. I'd be so happy, then wake up realize, it had been a dream.

I met a bunch of USAF buddies of his when he was stationed at Reese AFB. When he was flying F-16's, he brought one through here on cross country and let me sit in the cockpit.

After all these years, I still miss & love him.

I was stationed with Ken at Moody, even though I was a flightline expediter and he was a pilot, he would treat me just as you would any friend! Down to Earth and very humble! I was shocked when I read in the paper about his accident and passing! Condolences to his family and friends!

Thinking of Ken this memorial weekend can it really be 23 years! Still brings happiness to think of his smile.

Thinking of you, Buck on this memorial weekend.

Nickel on the grass!!

I was Pro Super that evening, and I'm still waiting to hear him sqwack in...

All, it’s been almost 15 years since I last posted on this forum. I’m Ken’s son. After 27 years, I’ve realized I know almost nothing about his life before the Air Force. And even for his time as a pilot, I only know so much. If you find yourself back on this page and see this comment, please shoot me an email or give me a call at the contact below. I’m looking for stories about my dad - no matter how old! Or just the opportunity to have a conversation about his life. - Ken

Kenlevens18@gmail.com

334-318-8524

Hey Ken,

I never had the privilege of meeting your father but I used to play with you and your sister when I was little. My dad was also an F-117 pilot at Holloman and he was really close with your father. I just wanted to let you know that he thought the absolute world of your dad, as a pilot and as a man. He took your fathers passing really hard, I wish so bad I could give you stories from him, but he always had a tough time talking about it. I also really wish I saw this page before my father passed so I could get him in touch with you. I am going to ask my mom if she has any photo albums from those days I can go through to see if I can find some pictures of him to send you. I think about him and your family every time I see an F-117 and hope that y’all are doing well. Take comfort in the fact that he died doing what he absolutely loved and that you will see him again one day, from what I’ve heard about him, there is no doubt he is in heaven looking down on y’all. I wish y’all the very best and will definitely get in touch with you if I find pictures of Buck or if my mom knows any stories.

I’m sure your mom is still in touch with them but if she isn’t, try getting ahold of Danny & Cheryl Maxwell. From what I remember they were really close to your parents around that time and Danny should definitely have some stories about your dad. Last I heard they were living in San Angelo, let me know if you want me to find their info you. Again, man, I wish you guys all the best.

Another anniversary coming up. Twenty-eight years we've been without Kenneth. I probably should not be surprised, but I am surprised at how easily & freely tears will flow when I think of Kenneth. He was such a great guy. I was sure back in the 1990's, someday, Kenneth would be working at NASA and would go into space. It still sickens me to know he's gone because I am certain he would've done so much good on earth. I'm proud of him, still love him dearly. Man, I miss him.

Ken - shoot me an email. I have got some wonderful stories to tell about your dad from college days & some Air Force days.

Hello Ken,

Your dad and I were fellow instructor pilots at Reese AFB, TX back in the mid 1980s. We were both FAIPs (First Assignment Instructor Pilots) and both assigned to the same flight (A Flight) training students in the T-37. In fact, I was your Dad's buddy IP - a sort of training mentor to the new IPs during their first few months on the line.

Ken was a great guy to work with and was admired by both students and the other IPs. He always (and I mean ALWAYS) had an upbeat attitude, a great sense of humor, and effusive optimism.

I remember one day after the morning emergency procedures stand-up drill in which a discussion deviated into the dangers of a low altitude bailout versus a forced landing immediately after takeoff, Ken went into a five-minute presentation on the chances of successfully landing a 6,000 pound Tweet in one of the freshly plowed fields off the end of the runway. Pulling a ruler out of his desk drawer, he spoke of his knowledge of furrow depth and soil consistency and its impact on the odds of making a survivable crash landing. From then on, we deferred to Ken whenever we had a question about farming.

I was saddened when I learned several years ago of his loss, but the memories he gave me during our early days together will be cherished.

Hey Ken,

My name is Garrett Maxwell. My dad is Danny Maxwell and I remember spending time with y’all as a kid in NM. Chris posted above, and I believe my dad has talked to you in the past, but my email is gmaxwell325@gmail.com if you ever need a way to contact him. Growing up I heard so much about how your father’s passing affected my dad. I know they were really close. I hope you are doing well.