Family's tribute to A414 death crash victim

THE family of a man who died in a suspected hit-and-run have paid tribute to him. Kenneth Lush, 47, died on the A414 on Wednesday (May 13) when his bike was struck by a car. He attended Howe Dell primary school in Hatfield and then Hatfield senior schoo

THE family of a man who died in a suspected hit-and-run have paid tribute to him.

Kenneth Lush, 47, died on the A414 on Wednesday (May 13) when his bike was struck by a car.

He attended Howe Dell primary school in Hatfield and then Hatfield senior school.

His mother, Karin Lush, said: "Kenneth enjoyed his years at school and his favourite subjects were science, maths and engineering.

"He was a quiet and studious pupil at school who had a close circle of friends."

Kenneth had a real aptitude with machinery and engineering it was virtually inevitable that he would follow in his father's footsteps.

Upon finishing school therefore, Kenneth began an apprenticeship within his father's company, Lush Heat Treatment Ltd, a metal heat treatment business.

The company, which his father founded in 1952, moved to Great North Road in Hatfield in 1957 from London and has been based in the town ever since.

When his father, Denman Philip Lush, retired in 1987 Kenneth took up the helm of the business alongside his mother.

As managing director he built upon his father's pioneering work and Lush Heat Treatment Ltd continues as a leading specialist in precision vacuum metal heat treatment using the latest process technologies.

He also derived a particular satisfaction in helping people restoring vintage motorcycles, cars and aeroplanes.

After Kenneth left the family home he lived in Hertford and Tewin until he settled down in Park Meadow, Hatfield with his wife Cornelia. Kenneth met Cornelia in 1997 through a mutual business friend, who undertook a degree of matchmaking to get them together.

They were married in Augustusburg Castle, Germany in 1998.

Kenneth and Cornelia have four children; two daughters ten-year-old Christine, eight-year old Renate and five-year-old identical twin boys, Philip and Eric who are the spitting image of their Father.

Kenneth and his family moved to Fairway in Ware about six weeks ago.

His sister Vera said: "Kenneth was an absolute perfectionist in all that he did at work. He had an immensely analytical mind that invariably resulted in a well reasoned and balanced solution to any problems arising. He was able to consider the tiniest detail of a project without losing sight of the bigger picture.

His brother George who worked with him in the business said: "He was very well respected and liked by his colleagues and clients throughout the country in the field of engineering, all of whom have expressed how much they will miss him as a person and his incredible knowledge and problem-solving skills."

His brother Alexander said: "He combined intelligence, integrity, a sense of proportion and great wit. He was invariably effective in what he did. He could be relied upon to see the absurd or funny side of any situation or issue. He also had a great appreciation of the environment and countryside of Hertfordshire and, through cycling and walking, had a deep familiarity with most parts of the county."

Vera added: "He also had a wicked sense of humour and would have us laughing every day with a wry observation about some aspect of life. He took a very active interest in current affairs and was always well informed on topical issues. Despite his very busy work life, he still found time to write some very poignant and often humorous poems, some of which I would be presented with in my birthday cards! He had an incredibly rounded intellect."

Kenneth enjoyed classical music, was very well read and was a proud member of the North Road cycling club in Hertford for 21 years.