Kenneth C. Bahrmasel

June 30th, 2026

M Y F R I E N D K E N
Last-ing Thoughts

It’s not fair; he’s gone too soon.

What a wonderful human being!

He didn’t drink;
He didn’t smoke.
He didn’t take chances;
He didn’t test nature.

He rarely did anything wrong.

He didn’t hurt a fly.

He was a good friend to a select, but LUCKY few.

He was the most humorous person I know.
Always on-track or a step ahead with his unique personality and clever comebacks.

Kenny was raised and educated with the right values;
which were solidified and enhanced by the love of his life, JUDY;
who was the most compatible partner for him;
and a constant supporting companion.
As a matter of fact, JUDY is the 2nd BEST wife in this world for ANY man.

Kenny loved his family and friends.

Kenny was a gift to this world from which we all benefited.

You were just drawn to him.

Nobody didn’t like Kenny Bahrmasel.

He not only enjoyed telling stories to a focused ear;
but he also liked listening to them.

I always looked forward to being with him.

Kenny took his opinions and humor to a higher level.

He was a non-insulting, Schmoozer and Kibitzer.

He set a high standard for a wonderful friendship between two adult men.

I feel privileged and a better person to have been a part of his life.

Our conversations lingered on within me, even after we said goodbye.

He was still in my thoughts, even after the evening was over.
(My many takeaways were: “That’s funny and true about what Kenny said”)

Well, Kenny – it may be GOODBYE – But, it’s not OVER.

I will think about you with fond memories – FOREVER.

But don’t worry, we’ll continue our friendship when we meet again.

I will miss you until then.

Your friend,

—– Marshall —–

~Marshall Shifrin
~Admiring Friend, Northbrook

June 30th, 2026

I started working for the IRS Estate & Gift Tax Division on June 21st, 1971. I, therefore, have known Kenny for 55 years!
As the work years passed Kenny and I developed a wonderful friendship for a number of reasons. We eventually wound up in the same group and helped each other out with numerous issues in so many different cases. Here was this madcap, funny man who could quickly help a Liberal Arts Major with complicated financial matters, balance sheets and accounting principles.
Many of us at IRS became lifelong friends probably because we ate lunch together regularly. To quote that sage, Kenny Bahrmasel: “THE MEANING OF LIFE IS LUNCH! We all had so much fun at lunchtime strangers in the Food Court oftentimes came over to join us. In our later years at IRS many colleagues opted to go on FLEXIPLACE…….working at home. A small number of us, including Kenny and I, came into the office daily.
That is when Kenny and I really got to know each other. As it goes with all of us, life starts to challenges us. I had a host of medical issues with my family over the years. Ken had a family to care for. No matter how blue I became Kenny got me out of it with his humor. He was my Larry David, Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar. No matter how hard I tried Kenny always topped me. Sometimes we would laugh so hard we, literally were screaming: “STOP.”
After we all retired a small group started to meet at East of Eden for lunch once a week: KENNY, WALTER LONDON, JIM McMULLEN, DON YOVETICH, MAUREEN RUSSELL and I. One of the worst aspects of the COVID years is we stopped meeting for so long. Nevertheless, we all kept in touch regularly and renewed our lunches as soon as it was safe.
Many dark moments in my life were alleviated by Kenny’s friendship and wise, always funny advice. It is hard for me to truly explain how important he was to me. I loved him as a colleague, advisor, and best of all: A FRIEND OF 55 YEARS.

~Cecelia Tomaszkiewicz
~IRS – Estate & Gift Tax Colleague, Lunch Partner and Friend, 1150 N. Lake Shore Drive, 18A, Chicago, IL 60611