Ken Bredesen served as chief psychiatrist from 1962-72 for the Peace Corps, working in almost a dozen countries, mostly interviewing volunteers to make certain they were suited to the rigors of the job and living in Third World countries
Obituary for Peace Corps Psychiatrist Ken Bredesen
Doctor loved Peace Corps, DU hockey
By Virginia Culver
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 02/26/2008 11:23:38 PM MST
Ken Bredesen, a psychiatrist for nearly 40 years, liked helping people.
Ken Bredesen served as chief psychiatrist for the Peace Corps, traveling the world, and then for Colorado Social Services.
One of his greatest passions was University of Denver hockey. For years, Bredesen, who set up an award for DU hockey players, could be found in the team's locker room after home games.
"I'm sure he was available for counseling," said his daughter, Laura Bredesen of Aurora.
Bredesen died at his home Feb. 19 at age 78.
With his late wife, Janet, Bredesen hosted dinners at their Cherry Hills home for players who couldn't go home during school breaks because they had games. It wasn't uncommon for players to leave their cars at the Bredesen home when the team was on the road, said his son, Tom Bredesen of Centennial.
"Our home was like an orphanage for out-of-town players," said another daughter, Judith Bredesen of Colorado Springs.
Bredesen, who never played hockey "except in backyards," according to son Scott Bredesen, hosted an annual beer and burger party for players each fall, after they had raked his leaves.
Bredesen had set up a fund at DU for "the best sportsman on the freshman team," said Scott Bredesen of Greenwood Village, "because he thought sportsmanship was so important. He always appreciated a good sport."
Bredesen was a psychiatrist for almost 40 years. He served as chief psychiatrist from 1962-72 for the Peace Corps, working in almost a dozen countries, mostly interviewing volunteers to make certain they were suited to the rigors of the job and living in Third World countries.
Even after going into private practice, Bredesen took several weeks a year to go abroad and volunteer for the Peace Corps.
Kenneth N. Bredesen was born in Minneapolis on April 21, 1929. He earned his medical degrees at the University of Minnesota.
The lure of television led him to drop out of medical school for two years. He worked on a CBS-affiliated TV station in Louisville, Ky.
He became fascinated with television after seeing his first TV at the 1939 World's Fair in New York, said Judith Bredesen.
He decided to return to school, said his son Tom, "because he liked helping people."
The family moved to Denver in the early 1960s.
Besides his practice, Ken Bredesen was Colorado's senior consultant on alcoholism and chief psychiatrist for Colorado Social Services.
On June 17, 1952, he married Janet Eklund, whom he had met in high school. She died in 2000. He later married Phyllis Neff, who survives him.
In addition to her and his children, he is survived by one grandchild. Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com
