Kenneth Spike Hahn

On February 6, 2022, Doctor Kenneth Spike Hahn unexpectedly passed from this world, following a beautiful day of skiing at McNeil Canyon.

Dr. Hahn was born a fourth-generation Alaskan on February 13, 1956, to Clarence Peter and Bonnie Anne Dunbar Hahn in Barrow, Alaska. He spent his entire youth in Nome and enjoyed summers in the historical, family-owned Cape Nome Roadhouse with his three brothers Kavik, Patrick and Michael, and their younger sister Laura.

After graduating from Nome High School, he transferred from the University of Alaska Fairbanks all the way to Brown University. In 1984 he completed his medical degree from the University of Washington Medical School as a participant in the collaborative WAMI program.

Following residency, he opened a medical practice in Carnation, Washington and there raised his family of three children: William, Laura, and Logan, alongside his wife Nancy.

In 1996, he returned to Alaska, settling in Homer. He joined and worked closely with his longtime friend and fellow UW graduate, Doctor Paul Raymond, at the Kachemak Bay Medical Clinic. He maintained a practice in Kenai and worked at South Peninsula Hospital for 20 years. He committed his career to his clinics, hospital and community. He was skilled in advanced trauma life support, focused on victims of the opioid crisis and tailored his practice to provide for those with addictions.

A trusted doctor of our community, and the dear friend of many, he will be sorely missed. He treated others as he treated his beloved gardens, with respect and caring, his guiding principle being the realization of every individual’s potential.

As a youth he explored the wilds of Western Alaska, and later shared many stories of survival, from bush plane crashes on riverbeds, to swamped boats in Norton Sound. In the summer of 1978, he undertook part of an expedition along the Northwest Passage in a 32-foot walrus-hide Umiak. He sailed alongside his brother Pat, under the command of Archaeologist and Arctic historian John Bockstoce, on a journey documented in National Geographic. He was Alaskan through and through, proudly noting that he was born in the Territory of Alaska, well prior to statehood.

Ken’s green thumb was well renowned, and he was regarded a world class gardener by many. He had an eye for functionality with beauty, and always embarked on fantastic landscaping projects for his properties. A pioneer of the Homer Peony community, Ken volunteered for the Homer Peony Project and held countless City of Peonies fundraisers in his own home.

Ken could often be found alongside his longtime partner Linda Stearns in the garden, on a mountain trail, or out for a sunset ski. He enjoyed fishing the waters and exploring the coves of Kachemak Bay, or simply boating to the Saltry for seafood and a glass of chardonnay. As a doctor, he was known to occasionally accept black cod filets in lieu of payment when dealing with his commercial fisherman patients. He was always happy to fire up the barbecue to enjoy evenings with friends and family. He loved hosting and attending parties and wasn’t too shy to take someone’s hand on the dancefloor. He was most at ease among salt of the earth people, and it’s why the draw of Alaska never left his bones. As a father, Ken was patient, caring, and supportive.

Ken was a boundless source of energy and intellect; he could pack an entire work week into a single day. His competence and determination humbled those who witnessed it. He was forward thinking, early to adopt practical technologies and implement them in creative ways. His ethics and mind were sound, his generosity knew few bounds, and he was quick to lend a hand to those who needed support. He was an anchor that so often helped those around him remain grounded in times of uncertainty. Ken was as pragmatic as they come, and so was his advice, but he was always accepting when others followed their own path.

He found his purpose in treating the ailments of others, his calling in growing the flowers that catch our eyes, and he found his slice of heaven on the shores of Kachemak Bay.

Ken Hahn was a bountiful soul, he was larger than life, and he gave much more than he took. So, while we mourn his great absence in our hearts, we will cherish the wonderful life he led, and we will honor his shining memory.

Dr. Hahn is survived by his mother Bonnie, his partner Linda Stearns, four siblings Kavik, Pat, Mike and Laura; three children Liam, Laura, Logan; and two grandchildren; Desmond and Enzo.

A Celebration of Life was held at Karen Hornaday Park of Homer, Alaska, on July 9.