Dr. Kenneth N. Wyatt

Dr. Kenneth Noel Wyatt, age 79, entered God’s kingdom on November 30, 2024, after living with liver cancer for 9 years. He is survived by his wife Kathy of 43 years, sons Christopher Wyatt (Erin), Jason Wyatt (Thien), Ian Wyatt (Ani), Jonathan Wyatt (Laura), and daughter Caitlin Wyatt (Robert). Other surviving family include his sister Patricia Berrett (Wray) and nephew Neil Berrett (Ulrika). He was also the loving grandfather of Ellis, Winston, Miles, Gordon, Zeke, Augie J., and Woody.

Ken was born to Noel F. Wyatt and Carol C. Kinsey Wyatt on October 14, 1945, at Saratoga Hospital Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Hazel Park, MI, where his dad worked for Chrysler and his mother was a registered nurse (RN) at Saratoga Hospital. Ken’s college career began in Kentucky near extended family, at Murray State College. After two years, he transferred to Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI to complete a BA in Humanities. Ken’s interest in psychology took him next to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for a year. His graduate school plans were interrupted due to the conflict in Viet Nam, and he spent the next year in southeast Asia as a U.S. Peace Corp volunteer, stationed in Sarawak, Malaysia. After returning to the states, he spent the next 4 years redirecting his life plan, beginning as a child welfare worker at the Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac, MI, while also taking night courses at Wayne State University in Detroit to prepare for medical school. He entered medical school at Michigan State University in 1975, graduating in 1979. Ken chose pediatrics for his field of practice and completed his residence at Children’s Hospital in Detroit. Upon completion of his residence, he spent 2 years in private practice in Abilene, TX. In 1982, he moved the family to Hendersonville, TN to establish his own private practice with Kathy as his office manager. Eventually, he joined Vanderbilt Integrated Providers in 1999, where he continued to serve the community as a highly popular pediatrician until his retirement in 2021. Over the years of his career, he contributed to the healthcare community in many ways: Clinical Instructor at Vanderbilt, Chief of Staff at Hendersonville Hospital, Board of Trustees Chairman at Hendersonville Hospital, and Adjunct Instructor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. He was revered as an outstanding mentor for both nursing and medical students. One student gifted him a bowtie which became his trademark style.

Ken’s intellectual curiosity led him to engage in numerous hobbies. Among his activities were listening to audio books, especially science fiction; gardening, bonsai, cooking, classical guitar, and traveling. For the past 18 years, Ken faithfully headed to the gym 3 days a week to work with his taskmaster, David. Ken was also known for his witticisms and knowledge of trivia. He loved making cookies, and quipped that his favorite cookie was “round”.

Nothing gave Ken more joy than going on mission trips. He joined Church Mission Network and made 3 trips to Kenya. He was acutely aware of the physical needs of the African people and did what he could to ease their ailments. He was humbled to think that God used his skills to help draw them to a place where they could hear God’s message and learn about salvation. He went on other mission trips with First Baptist Church to Matamoros, Honduras, New Orleans, and Haiti. Ken was a member of the Oswald Chamber Study group, the Connect Group led by Bill Bolin, and a 27-year member of the church.

A celebration of life will take place at First Baptist Church on December 12, 2024 in the Chapel. Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm with the service at 1 pm. Dr. Bruce Chessor will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to First Baptist Church World Missions or online via www.fbchville.com using the Give link.