George D. Kirkham ’55

Body

George Kirkham, philanthropist, financier, and avid sportsman, died of a brain hemorrhage Sept. 15, 2010. He was 77.

George prepared at Hawken School and Governor Dummer Academy. At Princeton he experienced a triumph he cherished throughout his long, productive life: His crew won the Royal Henley Regatta in 1955.

George was a trustee of Hawken School and trustee emeritus of Governor Dummer. He was a partner of Prescott, Ball & Turben and a board member of M.A. Hanna Co., the Leakey Foundation, and the Cleveland Playhouse. George, whose energy must have been inexhaustible, also was a member of the Winous Point Shooting Club, the Anglers Club of New York, Kirtland Country Club, the Union Club of Cleveland, and the Castalia Trout Club. Rarely did he lie in the arms of Morpheus.

George leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Thurston Kirkham; daughter Samantha Kirkham Crowley; sons Peter Weddell Kirkham, Warren Gates Kirkham, and Patrick Thurston Burke; and 10 grandchildren. To them all, the class extends its sympathy and thanks for a life well lived.

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