D. Kenneth “Ken” Richardson, former president of Hughes Aircraft Company, passed away peacefully on Sept. 21, 2026 in Santa Barbara. He was 95.
Ken joined Hughes in 1952 as a radar design engineer and spent four decades there, rising to president of the Missile Systems Group and then vice president of operations. In 1989 he was named president and COO of the company.
He led an organization of 85,000 people that was California’s largest industrial employer and the nation’s largest defense electronics contractor.
Hughes Aircraft Company was a world leader in radar, missile, satellite, and other aerospace technologies.
Ken was born Jan. 20, 1931 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to George and Hester Pratt Richardson. He and his two older brothers, George and John, witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Ken graduated from Punahou School in 1948, then moved to the mainland to attend college, earning a bachelor’s in engineering at Tufts University in 1952. He later earned a master’s in engineering at USC, and an MBA at UCLA.
Ken married his college sweetheart Constance Rogers in 1953 in Manchester, Connecticut. They raised their two sons in Palos Verdes and later in Westlake Village, California.
After retiring from Hughes in 1991, Ken had hoped to share many more years with Connie but lost her to cancer in 1993.
He moved to Santa Barbara and married Charlotte Whitlow Bishop in 1995. They enjoyed many adventures together until her passing in 2025.
In his retirement, Ken wrote and published two books “Hughes After Howard: The Story of Hughes Aircraft Company” and “Sparking Innovation.”
Ken was a golfer, sailor, pilot, and avid reader. He met presidents and world leaders, admirals and generals, astronauts and aviators. His great love of travel took him to more than 100 countries.
Ken was also a philanthropist, passionately supporting many causes, including the Santa Barbara Zoo, the Braille Institute, and engineering education at USC.
At a young age, Ken was given this advice by his parents: “Have people skills, always operate with integrity, and get all the education you can.”
He took that advice to heart and throughout his life had a positive impact on his family, his many friends, his colleagues, the students he sponsored, and the community.
Ken lived his life fully and generously. He will be greatly missed.
Ken is survived by his sons Bruce (Michèle) of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and Duke (Annalee) of Lompoc; and four grandchildren Andrew, David, James and Danielle.
A private memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 30 at at Santa Barbara Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Braille Institute.