Ken Humberston has lived in Beavercreek for almost 15 years. He and his wife Grace have been married for 50 years. They enjoy the space, quiet, and privacy that a rural community offers, but also like the proximity of services such as grocery stores or theaters in the neighboring cities. About half of their property is shaded by large Doug firs with the other half being open and sunny. “It gives us many diverse gardening opportunities, from ferns to fruits to flowers to veggies,” he said.
Ken has worked in law enforcement, as a schoolteacher, and a firefighter. He served in the United States Marine Corps and has held public office as mayor, school board member, fire board member, and on several economic development agencies. Ken was elected to serve as Clackamas County Commissioner in 2016, making participation in County government a crucial topic.
Ken has witnessed a lot of growth and change in rural areas, remembering when one used to have to drive fifty or sixty miles for certain amenities. In his role as commissioner, he says, “My experience has been figuring out how to manage change and make it work for you rather than wasting energy trying to stop the inevitable.” Ken attends countless community meetings to understand the aspirations and concerns of citizens. “I just want folks to be informed and involved with county government so we can make better more informed decisions.” He regularly attends monthly Hamlet meetings to provide insight on County activities, and is also involved in the Beavercreek Grange and Oregon City Rotary Club.
Some of Ken’s favorite activities include gardening, car shows, and his job as Clackamas County Commissioner. One of his philosophical touchstones comes from Shakepeare’s Hamlet: “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” The other is “A man keeps his word-ALWAYS.”
Thank you, Ken, for your service to the Beavercreek community!
Download the complete June 2019 issue.
Beavercreek Bulletin 