Dr Kenneth Charles Fordham Jr.

Dr. Kenneth Charles Fordham Jr., passed away peacefully on April 14th, 2024, after a 15 month battle with Glioblastoma, a rare form of Brain Cancer. He was happiest in the presence of his wife, Suzanne Cattie Fordham, his three children, Kenneth Charles Fordham III (Maria), Zachary Gerard Fordham (Elizabeth), and Alexandra Leigh Burns (Robert); and his eight grandchildren, Riley Anne, Parker Q, Madilyn Mae, Murphy Dia, Blakely McKenna, Leo Arthur, Nora Leigh, and Emory Lu. His grandchildren adored their “Poppy Doc.”

Ken was born April 29th, 1955 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, on a US Army Base in Landstuhl, Germany. His father, 1st Lt. Dr. Kenneth Charles Fordham Sr. was stationed there. Kenny spent an entire year on the base before his father and mother, Beverly N. Fordham, brought him back home to Gulph Mills, PA. The family grew and in the years to follow, Ken’s siblings Michael Fordham (Linda), Patricia DeNichols, Jeffrey Fordham and his Aunt Virginia Johnson would become his closest allies and truest friends. As a family with German Jewish heritage, they built a life focused on family, education, hard work, and honor. Carrying with them always the legacy of the lost. 

Ken graduated Conestoga High School in 1973 and went off to Lafayette College, where his freshman year roommate Fr. Richard Malloy S.J. Ph.D. would become a lifelong friend and mentor. Later he would join the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, forever blessing him with a brotherhood that extended well beyond his college years. Ken was a decorated athlete, a brilliant student, a loyal friend, and a kind and considerate soul. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, Ken pursued dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Not only did he excel in his particular field but he also earned a Masters in Education, and was elected Vice President of his graduating class, the class of 1982. While in dental school, Ken joined The Big Brothers Big Sisters of America youth mentoring program. It was there that he met Byron “Skeeter” Hutchinson (Kelly), an eleven year old boy who would become both a brother and a son. Byron became an integral part of the Fordham family and forever impacted Ken’s life.

In the summer of 1980, Ken met his future wife Suzanne, and married her two years later at Our Mother of Consolation in Chestnut Hill, PA. Shortly following their wedding, Ken and Suzanne moved to St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands where he served as a dentist in the US Public Health Service Department, a division of the Navy.

The Fordham’s returned home to Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1984. There they would raise their three children and bring Ken’s dream to life through the establishment of Chester Springs Family Dentistry. Ken and Suzanne worked tirelessly over 40-Years to make Chester Springs Family Dentistry one of the premier practices in the Philadelphia area. 

At his core, Ken was a dreamer that made dreams come true. He never feared failure. He was a father, a mentor, a coach, a doctor and an unbelievable friend. He had many mantras in life but one that his family will continue to live by is, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

Friends and Family are invited to share in his celebration of life on April 24th, 2024 at Loch Aerie Mansion, 700 Lancaster Pike, Malvern, PA 19355. Visitation will take place between 2pm and 3:30pm, with a ceremony honoring his life to follow. We invite all to join his family and friends as we commemorate Ken’s life.  

In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations in Ken’s honor to Cycle for Life, The Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, or Alzheimer's Association. 

“For our many friends and family around the world unable to attend in person, please follow the link below to live-cast the service. Dr Ken Fordham Jr Celebration of Life “