Ken Shin was born on October 27, 1967 in Buffalo New York, the second child and only son to Dr. Hyun Won and Okja Shin, who had immigrated to the United States from South Korea. Although Ken was born in Buffalo, New York, he grew up in Michigan spending most of his formative years in Saginaw.

After graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School (class of 1985), he attended University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he attended the engineering school (class of 1989), became a steadfast Wolverines football fan, and pledged the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.

Ken's mechanical engineering degree was put to good use as he worked his entire career, almost 30 years, as an automotive design engineer for Chrysler. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 20, 2017 while on a work assignment near Chicago.

Ken had a lifelong passion for fishing, playing golf and skiing, watching Michigan football and the Detroit tigers, and reading Stephen King novels. Ken passed away a month short of his 50th Birthday and is survived by his Mother, his three sisters (Grace (Chris Baker), Christine and Linda (Danny Chai) and a boatload of heartbroken nieces (Hannah, Sarah and Claire Chung; Emma and Janie Baker; and Phoebe Chai) and nephews (Elliott and Oliver Chai), who are prematurely losing the best uncle imaginable.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ( jdrf.org) in honor of Ken Shin.