Kenneth Robert Ziebell

With heavy hearts we report that Kenneth Robert Ziebell passed away on July 23, 2025 in Bedford, Massachusetts at age 91. Ken was born in Harvey, Illinois on August 18, 1933, attended high school in Indianapolis where he graduated valedictorian. He graduated from Elmhurst College in 1954 followed by Eden Seminary where he was awarded a Master of Divinity in 1957. Ken’s professional life was devoted to promoting interfaith understanding and supporting communities-in-need primarily in the Middle East. He accomplished this through his style of quiet leadership and bearing witness to conflict and injustice. Ken’s career took him and his family to Austria, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia), Israel/Palestine, Cyprus, and the United States.

Ken was known to be deeply thoughtful, patient and driven. This was no more evident than in the latter part of his life in which he courageously adapted to life with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife Linda, his sons Martin and Michael (Rose Rizzo), his stepchildren Laura Jennings and Luke Jennings (Sarah Laird-Jennings), seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter Joan Gonnoud and first wife Marian.

A memorial service will be held at First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA on August 16th, 2025 at 11am. Live streaming information can be founder at this website: https://www.firstchurchcambridge.org/event/ken-ziebell-memorial-service/

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s honor to one of these organizations:

United Church of Christ Global Ministries: (https://www.globalministries.org/donation_page/)

First Church in Cambridge Congregational UCC: (https://www.firstchurchcambridge.org/give/)