Squadron Leader Ken Topp
Squadron Leader Ken Topp, of Sherborne, West Dorset has died age 78 at West Abbey Nursing Home in Yeovil. He was born on August 8, 1935 in nearby Milborne Port and attended Milborne Port Primary School and Fosters Grammar School in Sherborne. Here he formed friendships which were to last throughout his life and which he continued to treasure.
Sqdn Ldr Ken Topp
Ken showed great talent in music, learning to play the piano and the organ for Milborne Port Methodist Church. His involvement with the church youth club at Milborne Port led to his meeting the love of his life, Ruth. Their relationship was always solid and remained steadfast through Ken's subsequent career development.
Ken became an apprentice at Westland Aircraft in 1951, soon becoming involved in the early helicopter manufacture working in the development department. He gained his Higher National Certificate at what was then Yeovil Technical College and was subsequently accepted at Cranfield College of Aeronautics, specialising in helicopter engineering.
His expertise in this highly technical field was acknowledged when he won the coveted Alan Marsh award for outstanding achievement in the field of helicopter research.
After completing his MSc at Cranfield, Ken returned to Westland to become involved in the design and engineering study of tilt rotor aircraft and other helicopter design work and was able to further develop his expertise in this field. In 1971 he moved to the Plessey Marine Research Unit, becoming a senior member of the engineering design and development team.
Later that year he joined the Royal Air Force as a commissioned officer in the engineering branch. After initial training at RAF College, Cranwell, he was posted to RAF Ternhill, part of RAF Training Command. From RAF Ternhill, Ken went to RAF Little Rissingham as Air Engineering Officer to the aircraft training wing. He was kept busy looking after the engineering aspects of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Next came a posting to Strike Command where he provided support for all the in-service helicopter engineering and modification programmes.
From Strike Command Ken was assigned to RAF Finningley where he was responsible for the in-service maintenance of the MK3 Sea King fleet of helicopters. As Ken's operational days drew to a close he accepted a post at the Ministry of Defence in London where his wealth of expertise was diligently applied.
Ken eventually retired from the RAF and rejoined Westland Helicopters as ILS manager for EH101, working within the customer support departments.
In November 1959, Ken married Ruth and settled down in Yeovil where sons Andrew and Mike were born. In 1964 they moved to Sherborne where Sarah was born, completing the family. This home became Ken and Ruth's pride and joy, the beautiful garden was always well tended and productive.
Ken had a passion for cars, Jaguars and Triumphs in particular. He put his practical skills to good use building canoes and a mirror sailing dingy which the family sailed on the Thames and lakes in Wales.
Ken was a well-liked, jolly character who endeared himself to everyone who met him with his charismatic personality. His proud family said that they would like to thank all those who have supported their parents over the past three years as they struggled to deal with their ill health.
The family said: "It was tough for Ken and Ruth, they both put up brave fights against cancer, fights that sadly neither won. Ruth passed away peacefully on June 9, 2013, 11 weeks before Ken. They will be so sadly missed by all their family and friends."
Expertise that served RAF and Westland | Yeovil People
RIP Ken.