WALBRIDGE — Ken Gilsdorf’s recipes for Black Bean Cakes and Fresh Salsa are a lot like him: Healthy, bold
and colorful.
The railroad retiree, who is a Lake Township trustee, turned 70 on Easter. But most people may ask to see
his birth certificate, as they try to keep up with this public servant who is always on the go, whether
it’s at home or in the community.
Gilsdorf started paying attention to healthy cooking when he got a startling diagnosis from his annual
physical at a Veterans Affairs hospital three years ago. He served in the Army from 1967-69.
His bloodwork showed very low potassium.
A recipe that he had been making, Black Bean Cakes, now comes up more frequently on the menu because it’s
loaded in potassium.
He first sampled a Black Bean Burger in Florida.
“We were down in the Villages and my buddy was sitting next to me. I got this big burger and he got this
Black Bean Burger, and I laughed at him,” Gilsdorf said. “He got a chunk off for me and I loved it.”
He highly recommends the Black Bean Burger at Spike’s Keg ‘O’ Nails in Grayling, Michigan, too.
But Gilsdorf couldn’t wait for vacations to have the black bean dish.
“I took a whole bunch of recipes and made it into one I like, including the Cuban seasoning.”
The spice is also great with fish, but Gilsdorf — opening up a bottle for a sniff — cautioned that only a
little Cuban seasoning is needed for any recipe.
“It doesn’t take much.”
The Fresh Salsa also has a potassium punch. But the key is fresh, Gilsdorf said.
“You get the salsa from the store, that doesn’t do it,” he said. “This has got so much good stuff in it.”

Gilsdorf usually serves the burger and salsa as is, but sometimes puts it on a whole-wheat bun with
pepper Jack cheese.
He retired from CSX as manager of public affairs, but still works for the railroad company as a
consultant for Operation Lifesaver, which focuses on railroad safety.
In addition to serving as a Lake Township trustee, Gilsdorf is chair of the membership committee for the
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments.
Last week, Gilsdorf became commander of Walbridge’s VFW Post 9963, where he serves on honor guard detail.

His wife of 43 years, Teresa, has also become involved with the VFW auxiliary. Both volunteer for the
Friends of the Lake Township Parks Committee.
When he’s not in the kitchen or at a meeting, Gilsdorf can be found tinkering around the house. The
couple downsized from their large residence of 30 years in Northwood, buying a small ranch in Walbridge,
where Gilsdorf grew up, 10 years ago.
He converted a garage into a living/dining area, then remodeled the kitchen. The most recent project has
been turning a patio into a four-seasons room, and adding a bathroom and laundry area.
The Gilsdorfs considered retiring to Florida, but he said the thought of golfing, having a cocktail and
going to dinner at 4 p.m. turned his stomach.
“My dad instilled in us a sense of service to our community,” he said, and they put their retirement
roots down in Walbridge. “When I get into something, it’s not half-hearted.”
The Gilsdorfs quell their wanderlust by loading up a 1961 Shasta RV trailer, “a toaster on wheels.” They
use it to live in while on the road, motoring to their destination.
They’ve fallen in love with Arizona in the winter, and take the Shasta to Maumee Bay in the summer.
Visiting with their two children and two grandchildren also keep them busy. Gilsdorf is close to his
92-year-old mother, Ethel, who lives in Walbridge. His father, Eugene, died four years ago.
Fitness is also part of Gilsdorf’s daily routine. He runs, lift weights, practices yoga and pumps out 100
pushups a day.