Kenneth L. Pratt M.D. died peacefully at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida on Saturday, May 12, 2018. He had very recently celebrated his 87th birthday in excellent health and died in the company of his family following a mercifully short illness.

Ken was born on April 9, 1931, as the only child of Ralph and Ruth Pratt. He was raised and educated in the quintessential small town of Phelps, New York. He graduated from Union College in 1953 and graduated Alpha Omega Alpha from Albany Medical College in 1957. He completed his internship at the Walter Reed Army Hospital and then completed his residency and fellowship in neurology at Albany Medical College. He met his first wife, Ardath Lorraine Duck, while attending Union College. Following graduation from medical school, Dr. Pratt joined the United States Air Force and practiced neurology in San Antonio, Texas. In those years, the Wilford Hall Hospital was the premier Air Force Hospital in the country, and he had the privilege of treating many of the preeminent United States military officers and astronauts in the then thriving US Space Program.  He retired in 1966 from the Air Force, having achieved the rank of Major.

Ken returned to Albany in July of 1966, where he resided in Loudonville, New York with Ardath and his two children. Tragically, he lost his younger son Jon, aged 5, when Jon was struck by a car while playing in his Loudonville neighborhood in November of that year. Dr. Pratt was on the faculty of Albany Medical College from 1966 until 1983. While at Albany Medical College, he particularly enjoyed his teaching duties with his medical students and residents. In 1983 he returned to his roots in the Phelps area to establish a private practice in neurology. At the time, he was filing an important need as the entire Phelps area was lacking a neurological specialist. He retired from private practice in 1988.

Ken enjoyed a long and fruitful retirement, dividing his time between his homes in Tupper Lake, New York and Vero Beach, Florida. In 1990 he suddenly lost his first wife, and in 1997 he married Betty Fultz McRae of Vero Beach. Together they traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world. In his retirement, Ken cultivated many interests, which included canoeing and hiking in the Adirondacks, ballroom dancing, investing, politics, and non-fiction reading on almost any topic.

In July of 2017, he was predeceased by his second wife Betty. His is survived by his loving and devoted son David L. Pratt and his wife Susan Abbuhl Pratt of Latham, New York. He also leaves his three cherished grandchildren: Katharine Pratt of New York City and Emily and Madeline Pratt of Latham, New York. In addition, he is survived by Betty's five loving children: Betty Jape McRae Peacock (Bill); Doug McRae (Laura); Curtis McRae; Mark McRae (Barbara), and David McRae. He also leaves behind his adored and wonderful poodle, Tia.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Indian River Medical Center and of the VNA Hospice House for their patient and attentive care.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 19th from 3-5 PM at The Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.

A graveside service is planned for the internment of his ashes in the late summer at Resthaven Cemetery in his hometown of Phelps, New York.

Dr. Pratt was always appreciative of the important research and teaching mission of Albany Medical College. In support of this, shortly before his death, he established the Kenneth L. Pratt MD '57 Endowed Fund. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions be made to this fund in care of the Albany Medical Center Foundation, 43 New Scotland Avenue , MC119, Albany, NY 12208-3478.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Kenneth's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com .