Obituary of Kenneth Clark Bates

Kenneth Clark Bates passed away peacefully at his country home last Friday, August 27, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78 years old. Ken was raised in the Scottish border town of Innerleithen, attending nearby Peebles High School and then Galashiels Technical College, a prerequisite for a future in the Scottish woolen industry. Ken met his future wife, Olive Scott, while they were employed at Ballantyne Mills of Peebles, Scotland. They were married in 1955 and came to America on the RMS Queen Mary, settling in New Jersey and raising four children. Ken, representing Ballantyne and several other British mills, began his own textile design and importing business in NYC. In 1967, he joined fabric importer Roger LaViale, Ltd. and, for 30 years, travelled the world to help build one of the most successful importing businesses in the country. Ken and Olive retired to their country home in Bucks County Pennsylvania where Ken thoroughly enjoyed a life of gardening, cooking, golf and entertaining. His friends and family will always remember him as generous man with an incomparable sense of humor and an impeccable sense of style-a gentleman through and through. Ken is survived by his wife, Olive Bates of Springtown, PA; daughters, Leslie Rottner and Cathryn Weiss of Darien; Barbara Bates Conroy of Rowayton; son, Robert C. Bates of Darien; grandchildren Andrew, Cameron and Christian Rottner, Kenneth and Robert Weiss, Wilson, Jack, Henry and Grace Conroy, Olivia and Catherine Bates. Ken is predeceased by his grandson, Harrison Conroy. A service to celebrate Kenneth's remarkable life will be held at Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien, CT at 10:00 AM, Friday, September 3, 2010. A private family interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to: Bennett Cancer Center, c/o Stamford Hospital Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd. Suite 202, Stamford, CT 06902. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820