Ken Weber

Not to be confused with Kem Weber.

Ken J. Weber (November 28, 1943 – August 2, 2007), born in Ottoville, Ohio, was a Rhode Island journalist and nature writer.^[1] He worked for the Providence Journal from 1971 until 1996, when he retired as section editor. He continued to write a weekly nature article until his death.

Ken J. Weber
Born	November 28, 1943 Ottoville, Ohio, U.S.
Died	August 2, 2007(2007-08-02) (aged 63)
Occupation(s)	Author; Journalist
Employer	Providence Journal (1971-96)
Spouse	Betti J. (Hoorman) Weber
Children	Four children

He has written many books about hiking, including bird-watching trails.^[2] His book, Weekend Walks in Rhode Island, is in its fourth edition, and is a popular guide for day hikes in the state.^[3] He wrote the text for the guide through the Mowry Conservation Area, used to guide visitors through the seven scenic walks in Smithfield, Rhode Island.^[4] Ken held a staff position at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and offered occasional nature talks.^[5]

Weber was posthumously inducted into the 2008 Hall of Fame, by the Rhode Island Press Association.^[6] He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Betti J. (Hoorman) Weber, and four children.^[1]

Bibliography

• Wanderings, co-authored with Providence Journal Company, Dutch Island Press, 1989.^[7]
• More Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island, Backcountry Publications, 1992.^[8]
• Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island: A Guide to the Natural and Historic Wonders of the Ocean State, Backcountry Publications, 1993.^[9]
• Canoeing Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, Backcountry Publications, 1995.^[10]
• A century of dedication: The first 100 years of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 1997.^[11]
• Paddling Southern New England: 30 Canoe Trips in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, W.W. Norton Inc., 2001.^[12]
• Weekend Walks in Rhode Island: 40 Trails for Hiking, Birding & Nature Viewing, W.W. Norton Inc., 2005.^[3]

In December 2016, the book, Rhode Island Birding Trails: Over 60 Places to Watch Birds in the Ocean State, was published and dedicated to Weber. His close friend Jeff Hall had co-authored the book with Weber, however, after Weber's death in 2007, the book sat unfinished and unpublished until Hall and a colleague, rechecked the work, beginning in 2013.^[13][14]

External links

• Miller, G. Wayne (August 4, 2007). "Ken Weber, Journal's nature columnist, dies". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on 2007-08-28.
• The Audubon Society of Rhode Island

References

1. CurrentObituary.com. "Ken J. Weber - Obituary - Smithfield, RI - Anderson Winfield Funeral Home | CurrentObituary.com". www.currentobituary.com. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
2. "It's like having an expert by your side!". Reporter Today. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
3. Weber, Ken (2005). Weekend Walks in Rhode Island: 40 Trails for Hiking, Birding & Nature Viewing. W. W. Norton, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-88150-614-3.
4. "Seven Scenic Walks in Smithfield — Town of Smithfield, RI". www.smithfieldri.com. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
5. Federation, National Wildlife (1999). Conservation Directory 2000: A Guide to Worldwide Environmental Organizations. Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 978-1-55821-945-8.
6. "Hall of Fame 2000-2009". ripress. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
7. Weber, Ken; Providence Journal Company (1989). Wanderings. Wickford, R.I.: Dutch Island Press. ISBN 978-0-934881-11-1. OCLC 44866044.
8. Weber, Ken (1992). More Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island. Backcountry Publications. ISBN 978-0-88150-224-4.
9. Weber, Ken (1993). Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island: A Guide to the Natural and Historic Wonders of the Ocean State. Backcountry Publications. ISBN 978-0-88150-261-9.
10. Weber, Ken (1995). Canoeing Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Woodstock, Vt.: Backcountry Publications. ISBN 978-0-942440-14-0. OCLC 36113406.
11. Weber, Ken (1997). A century of dedication: the first 100 years of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Providence, RI: Audubon Society of Rhode Island. OCLC 40903294.
12. Weber, Ken (2001). Paddling Southern New England: 30 Canoe Trips in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. W. W. Norton, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-88150-471-2.
13. COZZOLINO, PHILIP. "New birding book dedicated to Ken Weber". RICentral.com. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
14. Hall, Jeff (2016-12-28). Rhode Island Birding Trails: Over 60 Places to Watch Birds in the Ocean State. Audubon Society of Rhode Island. ISBN 978-0-692-81341-6.