AUBURN – Kenneth Alan Van Metre, 48, died of pancreatic cancer on Jan. 18.

Ken was born on June 13, 1960, in San Bernardino, Calif., and raised in Lompoc, Calif., where he attended Lompoc Senior High School. At the age of 18 he moved to Reno, Nev. There he discovered the world of printing and was entranced. He also discovered his love for the great outdoors with its potential to brighten life. Most importantly, he met and married the love of his life, Jan Crawford.

He was a romantic man who let his wife know how much she meant to him in some of the most creative ways. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on July 16, 2008, with an Alaskan cruise. They renewed their vows on Jan. 6. Not a day passed in 28 years that they did not experience their love for each other. A love story to the end.

His printing career took them many places; all with adventures of their own. When he accepted the job at Dingley Press in October 1993, he fell for the state of Maine and its people.

His enthusiasm for life was enormous. He loved boating, fishing and four-wheeling. He even golfed and skied. Then he discovered flying. He got his private pilot’s license in 2001 and never looked back. Flying in the skies constantly amazed him.

He also liked ‘discovering’ people. He would talk to anyone. He had a way of getting people to see themselves and smile. He touched so many people from all different walks of life without even knowing their names. Those of us he knew were even more blessed.

He was a collector of stories and the teller of some of the most amazing tales. Kacy and Matthew are among many of the ‘children’ who benefited from his imagination and adventurous spirit. They will keep Kenny alive for the ages, passing on his stories and colorful, playful heart.

Every day he would put a heart in his pocket to remind him of how much he was loved. He will live on in our hearts and we will pass his stories and love on to others.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jan Van Metre of Monmouth; his parents, Beverly Dale of Stillwater, Okla., and Karl Van Metre of Santa Maria, Calif.; his sisters, Joan Careyette, Karla Irby, Sandy Brown and Christine Monroe; brothers, Frank Van Metre and Joseph Van Metre; and many nieces and nephews and friends all over the United States.

He was predeceased by his nephew, Keith Mensinger.