Kenneth C. Welch (ca. 1881-1973), a native of Sparta, Michigan, was a 1912 graduate of the University of Michigan, and received a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1916. That same year he received the Architect's Medal of the Ecole de Beaux Arts, Paris, Frances.

During his career as an architect and urban planner, he lectured at Harvard Graduate School, Yale Traffic School, University of Michigan School of Architecture, University of Illinois, M.I.T., Carnegie Tech., and University of Kansas. He also contributed to a work entitled “Forms and Functions of 20th Century Architecture,” published by Columbia University. He designed various types of buildings including parking ramps, churches, apartments, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, and shopping centers.

He was particularly well known and held in high professional regard for his work with shopping centers. His shopping centers include: Mondawnin, Baltimore; the "Center," Omaha; Newton, Spencer, Iowa; North Star Center, San Antonio; The Mall, Kentucky; Westland and Eastland, Jacksonville, Florida; and 100 acre Westroads Center, Omaha.

From 1943 through 1952, Welch served as Chairman of the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission. During the 1950s he became experienced in downtown rehabilitation and revitalization. He served as one of the leading voices in the urban renewal planning and implementation in Grand Rapids.

He resided in Grand Rapids with his wife Lila M. They had four sons: P. Craig, R. Montgomery, Kenneth C. Jr., and A. William.

Note: Additional biographical information received June 23, 2009, from a Welch relative, Susan Linden, provides this additional information:

Lila was Kenneth Welch second wife. Sons P. Craig and R. Montgomery were her children by her first marriage, adopted by Kenneth Welch. Kenny and Bill were Welch sons from his first marriage to Dorothy Hompe. Also from his first marriage was a daughter, Diana Welch, who is the mother of Susan Linden. She was the middle child of the five children from the two combined families.